Wildfires in Florida after dry winter and spring lead to drought across US | Drought
M.Much of the United States is dealing with widespread drought following a very dry winter and the start of spring. Southeastern regions, particularly the states of Florida and Georgia, are experiencing some of the worst of this prolonged period of dry weather, and there are calls to label the risk as a level 4 “exceptional” drought, the most severe category in the region. Strong winds and low humidity conditions in recent days have increased the risk of fire. These components, combined with unusually dry ground, led to several large wildfires, especially in Florida, a state known for its wetlands and evergreen forests.
A fire that broke out early Tuesday morning in Broward County, Florida, northwest of Fort Lauderdale, had scorched more than 9,200 acres by Thursday afternoon. The National Guard helped Broward Sherriff Fire Rescue fight the blaze, and it has since been 50% contained. Residents living nearby and further west have been warned of poor air quality as a result of the smoke spreading. Fires are burning elsewhere, with many active fires in northern Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Abnormally dry weather is expected to continue for several weeks before the arrival of the wet season, usually around June; The risk of drought and fire will continue.
A heat wave is expected in some parts of India in the coming days due to high pressure in the north of the country. Before the onset of the monsoon season in July, April to June are considered summer months in northern India; so while it is not unusual for daytime temperatures to be around 40°C in some areas, the mercury is expected to approach 45°C over the weekend and early next week. States like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are expected to experience temperatures above 40C for several days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a heatwave warning for the regions. Some forecasts will see extreme heat extend into the first week of May, raising health concerns for millions of people.
