FARGO, N.D. — Fargo is enacting mandatory odd/even outdoor water restrictions effective at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, July 27. People with an odd-numbered address may use water as normal on odd-numbered dates and vice versa. There are no restrictions on essential water uses like showers and laundry. Fargo will remain in this latest drought response phase until further action is taken…
POLK CO., Minn. — Governor Tim Walz and Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen are getting an up close look at drought conditions in Polk County. They stopped by the Reitmeier Farm to see the impact the drought is having on producers in the western part of the state. Walz says they are working to mobilize state and federal resources…
ST. PAUL, MN (AP) — The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows 72% of Minnesota is currently experiencing severe drought. That’s up from last week, when 52% of the state was considered to be in severe drought. Minnesota Public Radio News reports the news is startling, since at the start of June, less than 1% of the state had severe drought…
BARNESVILLE, MN (KVRR) — Effective immediately the City of Barnesville implemented Stage 3 water restrictions. Restrictions include: • No lawn watering; except for yards sodded or seeded this year • Trees, shrubs and gardens may be watered using handheld devices only from 6:00-9:00 am and 7:00-10:00 pm; following Odd-Even Rule, on even numbered days, even numbered homes and on odd…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Department of Agriculture has authorized emergency procedures and issued new flexibilities for crop insurance providers to help ensure quick and fair adjustments and payments to producers. It comes as they weather severe drought conditions. USDA is allowing insurance companies to accept delayed notices of loss in certain situations. They are also simplifying paperwork requirements for filing…
BISMARCK, N.D. – Abnormally dry weather may have helped boost the number of American white pelicans nesting in north-central North Dakota, considered North America’s largest refuge for the big-billed birds. Results of an aerial survey show 16,600 pelicans nesting at the Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge, an increase of about 2,400 birds from a year ago when high water gobbled…
BISMARCK, N.D. – Wildlife officials say North Dakota’s spring pheasant population estimate is up 3% from last year but worry that an extended drought could cut into hunting prospects in the fall. The number of roosters detected this spring was up in the northwest, southeast and northeast regions. The southwest area, which is generally considered the state’s main pheasant hunting…
MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota authorities are bracing for an extended wildfire season, saying the typical summer reprieve is looking more and more unlikely. Wildfires are typically at their worst in the spring and fall, slowing down in the summer when trees and plants are fully green and rain increases. But more than half of the state is experiencing drought conditions and…
BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota agriculture officials are asking the federal government to give farmers and ranchers more flexibility in dealing with drought conditions that have parched the state. This week’s U.S. Drought Monitor map shows exceptional drought, the worst of four categories, covers about 18% of the state. The next category, extreme drought, blankets another 46% of North Dakota. All…
MINOT, N.D. – In drought-stricken North Dakota, wildfires have burned about 156 square miles of land across the state so far this year, more than seven times the amount from all of last year. The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services and North Dakota Forest Service say that nearly 1,400 fires have been confirmed in 2021. There were a total…
