Worst Drought In Recorded History Gripping California

Close to three-fourths of the Western U.S. is experiencing the most severe drought in the recorded history of the U.S. Drought Monitor, reports NBC7.

Hot conditions are expected to worsen existing threats of wildfires and water supply shortages this summer.

Farmers in the Northwest are currently dealing with drought damages to crops and are struggling to irrigate fields with such low water levels.

Parts of California have already experience triple-digit temperatures over the past week. Nevada and Washington are also experiencing sweltering temperatures. Some states are even releasing excessive-heat warnings and advisories, according to the National Weather Service.

In California, state reservoirs are 50% lower than they should be at this time of year, which could trigger hydroelectric power plants to shut down during the peak of wildfire season, according to an Associated Press report.

Governor Gavin Newsom called for a $2 billion wildfire preparedness budget as well as an expansion of the California Depart of Forestry and Fire Protections fleet of aircraft to fight the fires.

"72% of the western US is currently in 'severe' drought or worse. This is now the most extensive severe drought in recorded history," climate scientist and activist Eric Holthaus tweeted. "We are in a climate emergency."

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