Arizona wildfire swallows over 600 square miles

Increased wildfires due to climate change was predicted in models in the early 90's that the worldwatch institute reported.

The monster blaze, ranking as Arizona's second-largest wildfire on record, has chased up to 2,000 people from homes in and around two communities in immediate danger, Eager and Springerville, since Tuesday, fire officials reported.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/08/us-wildfire-arizona-idUSTRE7542JD20110608

Some aerial fireworks banned in dry Texas

HOUSTON (AP) — Fourth of July celebrations in drought-stricken parts of Texas will be a bit muted this year, as many local governments are banning the use of bottle rockets and some other aerial fireworks because of the risk of sparking wildfires.

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Some-aerial-fireworks-banned-in-dry-Texas-1414838.php

No more burning

Governor Robert Bentley signed an emergency drought condition declaration Tuesday in an effort to stave off potential out-of-control fires due to Alabama’s extremely dry conditions.

The dry conditions throughout the state have created an atmosphere where the “probability of catastrophic wildfire activity” is extremely high.

The Alabama Forestry Commission reports that since January, 1,808 wildfires have burned over 41,000 acres in Alabama.

“The lack of rain and unseasonably high temperatures have left much of the state extremely dry, creating high risk potential for devastating wildfires,” Bentley said

http://www.troymessenger.com/2011/06/08/no-more-burning/

Drought in southwest Kansas wheat fields is worst since Dust Bowl

“This time of year … the wheat fields should be green and lush and growing and they’re not,” said Aaron Harries, director of marketing for Kansas Wheat. “The fields are scattered with spots of green, most of the crop has withered up and died. It looks like a desert.”

Harries said the rainfall deficits in those areas are the most severe since the 1930s Dust Bowl days.


http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/07/2934854/drought-hits-wheat-farmers-in.html

Drought in southwest Kansas wheat fields is worst since Dust Bowl

“This time of year … the wheat fields should be green and lush and growing and they’re not,” said Aaron Harries, director of marketing for Kansas Wheat. “The fields are scattered with spots of green, most of the crop has withered up and died. It looks like a desert.”

Harries said the rainfall deficits in those areas are the most severe since the 1930s Dust Bowl days.

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/07/2934854/drought-hits-wheat-farmers-in.html

Metro Detroit heat wave melts record

After breaking the heat record Tuesday, metro Detroit is in for more sweltering high temperatures today.

Officials are urging residents to find ways to beat the heat and to keep an eye on vulnerable people, including senior citizens and children. Animal advocates caution against walking dogs or leaving pets inside cars or in the direct sun.

http://www.freep.com/article/20110608/NEWS05/106080390/Metro-Detroit-heat-wave-melts-record?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

Maryland braces for second heat wave

Last week's heat wave also sent temperatures at BWI-Marshall Airport to record readings in the upper 90s and contributed to the deaths of two Marylanders, the first heat-related fatalities of the year, according to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-06-07/news/bs-md-hot-forecast-20110607_1_heat-wave-maryland-braces-heat-advisories

Heat Wave Spreads to New York, Boosting Power Consumption, Health Risk

In New York, a heat advisory means the heat and humidity will make it feel like 95 degrees for two consecutive days “or 100 degrees for any length of time,” according to the weather service.

An excessive heat warning, issued for Philadelphia, means the combination of heat and humidity will “create dangerous conditions in highly urbanized areas.”

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-08/heat-wave-spreading-to-new-york-boosts-power-consumption-risks-to-health.html

Arizona Wildfire Rages On: The Dramatic Photos

Along Arizona's eastern border, a mammoth forest fire is raging uncontained as high winds and low humidity triggered a declaration of emergency to coordinate the entire state's response.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/159412/20110608/wallow-fire-update-arizona-fire-wildfire-2011-fire-state-of-emergency-albuquerque-new-mexico-springe.htm

Dry conditions affect future of cattle industry in Loudon Co.

"If we have to start feeding hay, then we'll feed out pretty quickly. We'll have the same situation that we had in 2007," Brashears said.

Loudon County has lost close to 30% of cattle producers in previous droughts because they were forced to sell.

http://www.wbir.com/rss/article/172284/2/Dry-conditions-affect-future-of-cattle-industry-in-Loudon-Co

If fixes fail, Iowa town could be left under water

The last time the Missouri River crested at levels predicted for this summer was in 1952, before most of the major dams along the river were built. And the flooding is expected to last into mid-August.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be releasing more water than it ever has from the dams by mid-June, meaning there likely will be other levee problems like the ones near Hamburg, said Kevin Grode with the corps' water management office.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110607/ap_on_re_us/us_missouri_river_flooding

Tornado swarm 2011: Overwhelming areal coverage

Through yesterday, a staggering 1425 tornadoes have been reported in the United States in 2011 - the most on record to date. The map (above) shows the majority of the eastern two thirds of the United States has been victimizied. The notable exceptions are West Virginia - in a veritable “tornado hole” (0 tornadoes have been reported in the state this year compared to 38 in neighboring Virginia) and northern New England.

But it’s not only the number of tornadoes that has been impressive, but also the intensity. There have been five EF-5 tornadoes (the most violent classification), the most since 1974 and the second highest number on record.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/post/the-overwhelming-2011-areal-tornado-coverage/2011/06/03/AGURc6HH_blog.html

Tornado, Flood Response Jumps to 5,000 Guardsmen

Arlington, VA - infoZine - National Guard Bureau - In the aftermath of severe storms that brought devastating tornadoes to areas of Missouri and Massachusetts and major flooding across the Midwest and other parts of the country, the number of National Guard personnel who are answering the call for help has risen to about 5,000.

http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/47690/

Historic flood begins to abate, but far from over

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi River flood of 2011 may seem like a thing of the past for people who fled rising waters that never came, yet the final toll is shrouded in murky water for thousands of people devastated as the flood made its way from the Midwest to the Gulf of Mexico.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110604/ap_on_re_us/us_mississippi_river_flooding

How Will China's Food Supply Weather the Year of Drought?

How Will China's Food Supply Weather the Year of Drought?

http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2011/06/03/how-will-chinas-food-supply-weather-the-year-of-drought/#ixzz1OJtzTO1d

Parts of central China, including the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, are experiencing the lowest levels of rainfall in 50 years.