U.S. Drought Monitor

Cities and states across the U.S. are restricting fireworks due to heightened wildfire risks, with Utah implementing a statewide ban. Dry and windy conditions have led to hundreds of wildfires, prompting officials to urge the public to attend professional displays instead of using personal fireworks.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox restricted fireworks and declared a state of emergency as the Cottonwood Fire, the nation's largest wildfire, grew to 111 square miles and remained uncontained. The fire damaged the Eagle Point ski resort, forced evacuations, and was fueled by extreme drought and weather conditions. The National Weather Service issued rare warnings for rapid fire growth, with additional wildfires and power shutoffs affecting central and southern Utah.

Virginia, with one-third of the state under extreme drought conditions, has imposed water restrictions on data centers that use large volumes of water for cooling, treating them equally with other commercial, industrial, and residential users. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) manages groundwater permits, and local authorities enforce restrictions based on drought stages, with no special exemptions for data centers. Henrico County's data centers are not among its top water users.

Wildfires fueled by heat, wind, and drought conditions are spreading across the U.S. West, with the uncontained Iron Fire in Utah forcing evacuations in Eureka and a nearby ranch. Similar fires are reported in Colorado and Arizona, while severe drought conditions persist in Utah, Arizona, and Colorado.

Extreme heat, wind, and drought conditions fueled wildfires in the U.S. West, including an uncontained blaze in Utah that forced evacuations near Salt Lake City. Similar fires in Colorado, Arizona, and Florida were exacerbated by severe drought and high temperatures, with authorities warning of increased fire danger due to prolonged dry and hot weather.

Evergreen Lake in Colorado relies on Bear Creek and snowpack from Mt. Blue Sky for water supply. A 2002 drought led to Bear Creek drying up, prompting water management strategies. The Evergreen Metropolitan District currently faces a Level 2 drought, restricting outdoor watering to three days per week and reducing golf course irrigation by 30%, though residents have reduced water usage compared to last year.

Tennessee remains in a long-term drought, with 80% of the state in moderate drought despite recent rainfall. Groundwater and water levels remain unbalanced, and dry conditions are expected to persist in East Tennessee. The drought impacts ecosystems, agriculture, and infrastructure, with forecasts predicting worsening water supply stress due to climate change.

May rains provided short-term relief to Virginia's drought conditions, but 80% of the state remains in severe drought. Groundwater levels in 20 of 24 monitoring wells are below the 10th percentile, and sustained rainfall is needed to fully replenish water supplies.

Half of California is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, with moderate drought conditions spreading across the state, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The latest map shows counties in Northern and Central California classified as Abnormally Dry or Moderate Drought. This affects several counties including Los Angeles, Orange, and Santa Barbara.

Georgia's wildfires, fueled by drought, high winds, and Hurricane Helene debris, have destroyed over 120 homes and reflect a broader trend of severe fire seasons across the U.S. National data shows 1.8 million acres burned as of April 24, double the 10-year average, with experts citing fuel buildup, urban expansion in fire-prone areas, and climate change as key drivers.