Parts of Rhode Island are Experiencing Severe Drought Conditions

The third driest fall on record is also fueling record fires and shrinking the habitat of some species

The biggest threat the state is currently facing from the lack of precipitation is related wildfires. A wildfire supervisor with the state DEM said there have been 25 fires in the last three weeks, a 10-year record.
The biggest threat the state is currently facing from the lack of precipitation is related wildfires. A wildfire supervisor with the state DEM said there have been 25 fires in the last three weeks, a 10-year record.
Patrick MacMeekin / Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
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The biggest threat the state is currently facing from the lack of precipitation is related wildfires. A wildfire supervisor with the state DEM said there have been 25 fires in the last three weeks, a 10-year record.
The biggest threat the state is currently facing from the lack of precipitation is related wildfires. A wildfire supervisor with the state DEM said there have been 25 fires in the last three weeks, a 10-year record.
Patrick MacMeekin / Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Parts of Rhode Island are Experiencing Severe Drought Conditions
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The National Weather Service yesterday upgraded the drought status in the northeastern corner of Rhode Island from moderate to severe drought. Most of the rest of the state continues to be in a moderate drought, and although Newport County and Bristol County, Mass., have not yet reached drought status, the National Weather Service still considers those areas to be abnormally dry.

It’s the region’s third driest fall on record, which dates back to 1904, and the driest fall in 78 years. The lack of water is causing a record number of wildfires, and threatening water levels for animals like beavers and stream fishes. State officials warn that if the drought worsens, they may need to tell residents to start conserving water.

“It is extremely dry,” said Patrick MacMeekin, a wildfire supervisor for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. “That’s the take home message here.”

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.

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