Lower-than-average rainfall and reduced snowpacks have led to one of the driest and most dangerous fire seasons in history.

In a piece for the New York Times, Nadja Popovich highlights the "alarming picture" of drought in the American west. "Across the region, reservoir levels are near record lows and mountain snowpack, which slowly releases water in the spring and summer, is largely depleted. In California, water restrictions are already in effect, with more widespread cuts expected. Dry soil conditions are already increasing fire risk."
The extreme conditions facing much of the west this year are unusual in their range and intensity, writes Popovich. "Winter rain and snowfall usually bring most of California’s moisture for the year, but this winter was drier than usual, with warm temperatures arriving early this spring. The state is now in its dry season and is unlikely to see significant rainfall again until October."
Climate scientist Daniel Swain, evaluating this year's low rainfall and early fire season, says "[t]here’s a 100 percent chance that it gets worse before it gets better." A late summer monsoon could help reduce the risk–"if it materializes."
In 2021, "twice as many acres have burned in California as during the same period last year. The state’s fire season has expanded in recent decades, starting earlier and ending later than it used to." States across the west are implementing drought contingency plans in order to mitigate the crisis and conserve precious water resources. According to Dr. Swain, the "predictable elements" that contribute to fire risk, intensified by climate change, are "as bad as [they] can be."
FULL STORY: How Severe Is the Western Drought? See For Yourself.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Test News Post 1
This is a summary

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service