Alabama finally drought-free for first time in over a year
After what felt like an unending drought plaguing the state, Alabama is finally drought-free for the first time in more than a year. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor at the University of Nebraska, even though a small corner northwestern Alabama remains dry, the state’s dry-spell that began 60 weeks ago in April 2016 came to an end last week following the rains caused by the Tropical Storm Cindy. Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Marion and Lamar counties continue to be classified as having abnormally dry conditions
Don’t be fooled, 96 percent of Alabama remains in drought
Don’t let the fact that the Yellowhammer State has seen some much-needed rain in recent weeks fool you — the state is very much still in a drought. New statistics released Thursday by the National Drought Mitigation Center confirm 96 percent of the state remains in a drought and according to a federal assessment 4.6 million Alabamians are still affected by dry conditions. While the recent rains have largely reduced the risk of wildfires across the state, state climatologist John Christy has said 1 inch of rain is needed every week in order to improve the state’s arid conditions.
Rain brings short-term relief, didn’t end Alabama drought
Meteorologists say storms that dumped as much as 5 inches of rain on Alabama didn’t end the drought. The heaviest rains fell near the middle of the state, accumulating about 5 inches. Precipitation totals of more than 2 inches were common throughout central Alabama late Monday and early Tuesday. Although rainfall amounts varied across the counties of the state, it is expected to give only short-term relief to the wildfires burning recently in Alabama. “The precipitation we received should temporarily help us with the wildfire situation and hopefully more rain is on the way,” stated Interim State Forester Gary Cole of the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC). “This reprieve will allow firefighters some much needed rest, as well as an opportunity to perform equipment repairs and maintenance.” Monday was a historic day in the number of active wildfires burning in Alabama for one day: 108 fires destroyed 2,742 acres across the state. Cole continued, “Most of us veteran firefighters here don’t remember that many fires in one day. Not only was the number of wildfires higher, but they were also larger in size.” “I cannot thank the men and women with the Alabama Forestry Commission enough for their dedication, tireless efforts and countless hours spent battling fires across the state,” said Bentley. “Because of their efforts, wildfires in Alabama have been prevented from doing extensive damage. Their commitment to protecting life, property and wildlife does not go unnoticed.” Many areas are more than a foot below normal rainfall, and as such Governor Robert Bentley‘s statewide ‘No Burn’ Order —prohibiting all outdoor or open burning, making it illegal for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, woods, wildlands or marshes; building a campfire or bonfire; or burn trash or debris — remains in effect. Additional rain this week may allow the situation to be re-assessed later this week.
Severe drought continues across Alabama, no end in sight
While some areas of Alabama saw a sprinkling of rain this past week, severe drought continues to torment the vast majority of the state. With well over a month without rain, coupled with record-breaking heat, federal statistics released this week show nearly 90 percent of the state is now in a severe drought, and 65 percent of the state is in an extreme or exceptional drought. Even as seasonal cold fronts begin to arrive, there appears to be no relief in sight. The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center has predicted warm and near-record dry conditions to continue in Alabama, and across the Southeast, throughout the fall and winter lasting through February. Experts say at least a solid week of rain is needed for the state to “break even” and move past the drought.
Drought spreading southward in Alabama
A new report shows that a choking drought is spreading southward across Alabama. Federal statistics show nearly 90 percent of the state is now in a severe drought. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows 65 percent of the state is in an extreme or exceptional drought. Conditions are worst in the northern half of the state, where many areas haven’t had measurable rainfall in two months. The rainless period is setting records, and some places are more than 15 inches below normal rainfall for the year. No burn orders are in effect statewide, and Birmingham’s water system is charging extra for excessive water use beginning next month. No relief is in sight, because forecasters say no substantial rain is in the forecast. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Robert Bentley expands drought emergency to all 67 Alabama counties
Gov. Robert Bentley announced the entire state of Alabama is now under a Drought Emergency Declaration. Effective as of 3 p.m. Monday, all 67 Alabama counties have been placed under a No Burn Order, with all outdoor burning prohibited due to the high risk of wildfires. According to the governor’s office, since the first of October, a total of 1,421 wildfires have occurred in Alabama, destroying approximately 15,409 acres of land. Last year in the same time frame, there were only 232 wildfires, burning 1,846 acres across the state. “Although 46 counties in North Alabama were already under the No Burn Order, it was necessary to add the remaining 21 counties in the southern part of the state because of alarming wildfire activity and continued lack of rainfall,” Bentley said in a statement released Monday. “The expansion of this No Burn Order is critical to keeping our citizens safe from the threat of wildfires and reducing the chance of avoidable fires.” Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) wildland firefighters are currently battling a 700-acre blaze that has burned since Friday in Walker County. Over the weekend, other large wildfires burned in Baldwin, Coosa. and Wilcox counties, affecting several property owners. “With these extremely dry conditions, any fire can quickly spread out of control, explained Interim State Forester Gary Cole of the AFC. “Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen an increase not only in the number of wildfires that have occurred, but also the size. Several of these fires have been large, not only resulting in damage to our forests but also directly threatening residential areas. If not for the efforts of Forestry Commission firefighters and assistance from volunteer fire departments, we would have lost homes.” Under the Drought Emergency No Burn Order, it is illegal for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, woods, wildlands, or marshes; to build a campfire or bonfire; or to burn trash or other material that may cause a forest, grass or woods fire. Specifically, the regulation prohibits any prescribed burns, any campfire or bonfire, any trash or debris fires, or any other open burning. If convicted, the penalty for violating the No Burn order is up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500. The No Burn order will remain in effect until rescinded by the state forester, when conditions will have changed sufficiently to reduce the occurrence and frequency of wildfires. To report persons burning in violation of this law, contact your local law enforcement. For more information on the current wildfire situation in the state, visit Alabama Forestry Commission’s website at forestry.alabama.gov.
Deep South drought kills crops, threatens herds, dries lakes
Six months into a deepening drought, the weather is killing crops, threatening cattle and sinking lakes to their lowest levels in years across much of the South. The very worst conditions — what forecasters call “exceptional drought” — are in the mountains of northeast Alabama and northwest Georgia, a region known for its thick green forests, waterfalls and red clay soil. “Here at my farm, April 15 was when the rain cut off,” said David Bailey, who had to sell half his cattle, more than 100 animals, for lack of hay in Alabama’s scorched northeast corner. “We’ve come through some dry years in the ’80s, but I never seen it this dry, this long,” Bailey added. “There’s a bunch of people in a lot of bad shape here.” The drought has spread from these mountains onto the Piedmont plateau, down to the plains and across 13 southern states, from Oklahoma and Texas to Florida and Virginia, putting about 33 million people in drought conditions, according to Thursday’s U.S. Drought Monitor. Wildfires raged Thursday near Birmingham, Alabama. Statewide, the blazes have charred more than 12,000 acres in the past 30 days. “There are places getting ready to set records for most number of days in a row without rain. It’s a once-in-100-year kind of thing for this time of year,” said John Christy, Alabama’s state climatologist. The South has historically enjoyed abundant water, which has been fortunate, because much of its soil is poor at holding onto it. But the region’s booming growth has strained this resource. A legal battle between Georgia and Florida over water from rivers and their watersheds goes before a federal court official Monday, and the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to review his recommendations. The dry weather is only making things worse. “We’re 10 days away from a drought at any given time,” Christy explained. “Unlike the Midwest and other places in the country, we are closer to a drought than almost any place else.” Parts of northern Georgia and Alabama have now seen their driest 60 days on record, Thursday’s national drought report showed. If the drought persists, authorities said it could lead to the kinds of water use restrictions that are common out West, but haven’t been seen in parts of the South in nearly a decade. In 2007, police in Atlanta’s suburb of Alpharetta were given the power to criminally cite anyone watering their lawns. In Alabama that year, people were fined for watering on the wrong day and many homes became infested by thirsty ants and cockroaches. In west Georgia this month, the Tallapoosa River dropped below the intake the Haralson County Water Authority uses to provide water to at least four small towns. Some major cities are spending big to prevent future water shortages: Atlanta has begun a $300 million project to store 2.4 billion gallons of water — a month’s water supply — and pipe it under the city. This summer was particularly hot as well as dry, with 90-degree temperatures day after day that evaporated what little moisture the soil had left, said Bill Murphey, Georgia’s state climatologist. This summer was the second-hottest on record in Atlanta, where seasonal rains still haven’t arrived: During the past 30 days, just over two-tenths of an inch of rain has fallen in Atlanta, 94 percent below normal, and in Cartersville, about 45 miles northwest of Atlanta, the weather service has recorded no rain at all. The South’s usually temperate forests have turned into tinderboxes, worries Denise Croker, a chief ranger with the Georgia Forestry Commission in northwest Georgia. In the arid western U.S., cigarettes tossed from cars have been known to start forest fires. In the South, higher humidity generally keeps that from happening, but not this year. Even a spark from a chain dragged from a truck could set the northwest Georgia woods on fire, she said. “Our dirt is like talcum powder,” she said. Outdoor burning has been banned due to fire risk across parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and burn permits aren’t being issued in parts of Georgia. “This is the worst drought that I’ve ever experienced and I’ve been farming for 45 years,” said Phillip Thompson, 60, who spent Tuesday night trying to snuff out a smoldering, 150-acre brush fire near Scottsboro, Alabama, where he farms corn and soybeans. “It’s just a bleak situation.” Some of the South’s best known crops — cotton, peanuts and sweet potatoes — have largely escaped damage, because they’re mostly produced outside the drought area, and in some cases got rain from Hurricane Matthew and other tropical weather, trade groups said. Peanut yields will be down due to heat, drought or hurricanes, but that won’t likely affect consumer prices, said Dan Koehler, who directs the Georgia Peanut Commission. As for sweet potatoes, the drought has been both good and bad: Hard ground can damage skin and lead to rot in stored tubers, but they also start curing in the ground when it’s really dry, which means “they’re really sweet,” said Sylvia Clark, secretary of the Mississippi Sweet Potato Association. Republished with permission of the Associated Press
25 day drought fuels 910 wildfires; “burn ban” remains in effect across Alabama
As extremely dry conditions continue to plague the entire state, a total of 46 counties in north and central Alabama remain under a burn ban ordered by Governor Robert Bentley on October 12, which prohibits all outdoor burning. Despite the ongoing ban, an Alabama Forestry Commission official said Monday that 910 wildfires have destroyed more than 10,000 acres across Alabama since Oct. 1. “The drought creates a dangerous scenario where wildfire can quickly spread out of control, destroying forestland and threatening homes,” said interim State Forester Gary Cole. Over the last few weeks, wildland firefighters with the Alabama Forestry Commission have been busy battling such wildfires in all 67 counties of the state. “Unfortunately there is no relief in sight,” Cole continued. “The 10-day forecast for Alabama shows almost no potential for rainfall, with above-average temperatures and lower humidity.” Cole explained the situation causes grave concern for fire officials with the agency, struggling with reduced availability of both firefighting manpower and suppression resources. “It’s not a good outlook for our team of firefighters who are already putting in long, difficult hours in the woods trying to suppress these blazes,” he said. According to the United States Drought Monitor more than two-thirds of the state is at least severely dry for this time of year with roughly one-third facing an extreme or exceptional drought. Under the No Burn Order, it is illegal for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, woods, wildlands, or marshes; to build a campfire or bonfire; or to burn trash, debris, or other material that may cause a forest, grass, or woods fire. The regulation also prohibits all open burning and prescribed burns. If convicted, the penalty for violating the No Burn Order is a fine of up to $500 and/or up to six months in jail. Additionally, a Fire Alert remains in effect for the 21 other counties in south Alabama which was issued earlier by the Alabama Forestry Commission. While under the Fire Alert, permits for outdoor burning are restricted and issued on an individual basis.
New Robert Bentley drought declaration bans all outdoor burning in 46 Alabama counties
With drought conditions persisting in across Alabama, the state has issued burn bans. Governor Robert Bentley on Wednesday signed a Drought Emergency Declaration due to extremely dry conditions banning burning in 46 counties in north and central Alabama. The declaration, often referred to as a ‘No Burn Order’, went into effect 3 p.m. Wednesday, October 12, 2016. “The current drought condition in our state is posing a serious threat for wildfires,” Bentley said in a news release. “The continued lack of rain combined with low relative humidity and strong winds are putting several counties at a very high risk. This declaration is meant to prevent unnecessary burning, reducing the chance of avoidable fires.” Additionally, the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) has issued a Fire Alert for the remaining counties in south Alabama, effective immediately. “We need rain desperately. Over the past couple of weeks we’ve seen an increase, not only in the number of wildfires, but also in the size of these fires. Several of them have been very large wildfires,” State Forester Gary Cole said. “With this extremely dry weather, conditions are such that any fire can quickly spread out of control, not only resulting in damage to our forests but also threatening and destroying homes. These burning restrictions are a necessary result of the ongoing lack of precipitation, the recent increased number of fires, high probability of fuel ignition, as well as the reduced availability of firefighting manpower and suppression resources across the state.” Over the last seven days, 341 wildfires have burned over 4,100 acres in Alabama, according to Alabama Forestry Commission fire officials. The Drought Emergency Declaration order will remain in effect until rescinded by the State Forester, at which time conditions will have changed sufficiently to reduce the occurrence and frequency of wildfires. The No Burn Order affects the following counties which have been upgraded from the previously-issued Fire Alert: Autauga Bibb Blount Calhoun Chambers Cherokee Chilton Clay Cleburne Colbert Coosa Cullman Dallas DeKalb Elmore Etowah Fayette Franklin Greene Hale Jackson Jefferson Lamar Lauderdale Lawrence Lee Limestone Lowndes Macon Madison Marion Marshall Montgomery Morgan Perry Pickens Randolph Russell Shelby St. Clair Sumter Talladega Tallapoosa Tuscaloosa Walker Winston
Daniel Sutter: How to Turn a Drought into a Disaster
California is in the midst of a severe, protracted drought that is producing significant costs and conflicts. The unreported story, however, is how our politicized system of water allocation exacerbates these impacts. The costs of politicized water extend across the nation. Californians are using cell phone cameras and social media to report violators of water use restrictions. Actor Tom Selleck, for instance, was accused of stealing water for his avocados. It turned out that Magnum, P.I., was paying for the water he was taking from a fire hydrant. The main conflict in California pits farmers against other users. Water has many uses beyond watering crops and lawns and filling swimming pools. The computers powering the internet generate lots of heat, and Google uses chilled water to cool its servers. Electricity generation requires considerable water, not just for hydroelectric power, but also when using coal and nuclear power: electricity for a 60 watt lightbulb for a year requires 3,000 to 6,000 gallons of water. Ethanol requires four gallons just to refine one gallon, in addition to growing the corn. Our nation’s water problems, including the conflict news stories describe, result in large part from a failure to use property rights, voluntary exchange, and prices to allocate water. California’s drought is Mother Nature’s doing, but the economic costs and political conflict are largely on us. Farmers have water rights, but not full property rights. They can divert water but only to use it for irrigation. Farmers’ rights to use water can be suspended if river levels fall too low, as determined by bureaucrats. Without water for irrigation, farmers’ crops will fail. Farmers cannot trade (sell) water that they could use for irrigation to Tom Selleck for his avocados or Google for their server farms. A bureaucrat decides what happens to the water, and the result is conflict. Competition for water results because resources are scarce. Scarcity means that our wants and desires exceed our ability to produce goods and services. Economists often praise markets and prices for directing scarce resources to their most highly valued uses, which we call efficiency. Although markets cannot eliminate scarcity, they structure interaction to focus on cooperation and minimize conflict. Consider how the allocation of water contrasts with homes. California is home to some of the nation’s priciest communities, including Malibu on the Pacific Ocean. Homes in Malibu are in great demand, but can be bought and sold. Actor Jeff Bridges recently listed his estate for $29 million, to effectively let someone else get to live in Malibu. But Mr. Bridges will probably be happy if his home sells for the list price, in contrast with the farmers who might lose their water and get nothing in exchange. Such politicized allocation is the norm across the U.S. The city of Troy charges for water, but at a price determined by politicians and not markets. And communities employ orders to reduce water use. Troy currently has a voluntary odd-even lawn watering restriction in place. Such restrictions ramp up when drought conditions worsen, eventually becoming bans. A market approach would raise the price and let people decide if they want to pay perhaps $1,500 a month for a green lawn. We use high prices to clear the market for homes in Malibu, where an 800 square foot beachfront house recently sold for $5 million. I was not a bidder. Our system of politicized water allocation has immense costs, which I will discuss further in the future. The potential exists to use voluntary exchange for water. Economists like Terry Anderson of Montana State University and Nobel Prize winner Vernon Smith have described how rights and markets could work for surface and ground water respectively. Indeed, water market innovations designed by Anderson and his colleagues have improved both economic efficiency and environmental protection. Hopefully a weather pattern change will bring California’s current drought to an end soon. But should the drought continue, remember that much of its pain is from politically self-inflicted wounds. Daniel Sutter is the Charles G. Koch Professor of Economics with the Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy at Troy University and host of Econversations on TrojanVision. Respond to him at dsutter@troy.edu and like the Johnson Center on Facebook.
