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California Drought
California is experiencing the worst drought in its history, and the effects are being felt nationwide. Thus water issues have taken center stage in much of our reporting and the nation's.As the New York Times says, "Water has long been a precious resource in California, the subject of battles pitting farmer against city-dweller and northern communities against southern ones; books and movies have been made about its scarcity and plunder. Water is central to the state’s identity and economy, and a symbol of how wealth and ingenuity have tamed nature ..."As we continue through a fourth year of extreme drought conditions, you'll find all of our reporting on the related issues (and that of NPR and other member stations) in this centralized place.

The Economic Impact Of The Drought, And Other Stories

North State Public Radio
Published August 18, 2015 at 1:20 PM PDT
roam and shoot
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Flickr, Creative Commons

Stories that have the North State talking: the economic impact of the state drought; a troubling number of West Nile virus cases; unhealthy air conditions in Trinity County as wildfires continue to burn; and students heading back to school.

A new UC Davis study says that this year’s drought will cost California more than $2.7 billion and could result in 21,000 jobs lost.

Capital Public Radio reports: “The study released today shows farmers will idle more than 540,000 acres in 2015, about 114,000 more than in 2014. Almost 99 percent of the idled land is in the Central Valley. Direct agricultural costs of the drought will be about $1.8 billion and result in 10,100 seasonal job losses.”

The report says the effects of continued drought through 2017 based on continued 2015 water supplies may be 6 percent worse than 2015. View the full report below.

Aug. 2014 Final Drought Report

Credit Andy Langager / Flickr, CC
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Flickr, CC

The number of West Nile virus cases in Butte County is the highest in the state. There have so far been 30 human cases of West Nile virus in Butte, which the Chico Enterprise-Record notes already exceeds the 24 cases the county saw in 2014. Glenn County has the second highest number of cases statewide, with six. 

Lisa Almaguer, communications manager with the Butte County Public Health Department, told the Chico E-R that cases were coming in hourly only halfway through the mosquito season. “We are very troubled by the amount of cases that are coming through,” Almaguer said to the E-R. Read More.

Smoke levels in Trinity County continue to present a health hazard. A press release from the county’s public health department released Monday said depending on proximity to the fires, smoke levels range from “unhealthy” to “hazardous.” View the release for information about at-risk populations, clean air shelters, and how to protect yourself.

Jefferson Public Radio reports that National Guard troops trained in firefighting will arrive in Trinity County today to assist with the fires near Hayfork and Hyampom. JPR also notes that Trinity County fires "now account for over 40 percent of the acreage burned (approximately 365,000 acres total) by California wildfires.” 

For continuing updates on these and other fires as well as an interactive fire map, visit our 2015 fire season page.

Schools throughout the region are resuming this week and next, marking the symbolic end of summer for many.  Head to the Chico Enterprise-Record for more information on school openings in Butte and Glenn counties. For information on other counties’ school schedules, visit the individual district or school website.
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News DroughtCalifornia DroughtwildfiresWest Nile virus