Department of Ecology issues drought advisory for most of Washington
WASH. — Extreme dry conditions continue to impact our region and now the Department of Ecology has issued its first-ever drought advisory for most of the state of Washington.
The advisory was issued last month to increase awareness of the conditions and encourage people to pay attention to their personal water supplies.
It includes all areas east of the Cascade Mountains, portions of Southwest Washington and the Washington coast.
According to the Department of Ecology, March through April was the fourth driest period in Washington state since 1895.
Jeff Marti with the Department of Ecology says the dry conditions are causing growing concern for farmers and ranchers in the central Columbia Basin that depend on rain and soil moisture.
" Producers like ranchers and people that raise cows that have pasture lands to feed their cows that are growing wheat, depend on spring precipitation for healthy grasses...Those people are really being challenged in the southeast part of the state right now," said Jeff Marti, Drought Coordinator for the Department of Ecology.
Jeff also says to be fire wise during this dry spell and to take appropriate actions around your property to minimize fire danger.
