WASHINGTON, April 23 (UPI) -- The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said Friday a lingering drought continues to grip western states for the fifth consecutive year.
Sections of eastern Idaho and southwest Montana are the hardest hit so far this spring but all states across the West are preparing for an early and long wildfire season because of the drought and an early snow melt, forecasters said.
John Keys, reclamation commissioner, said drought conditions are widespread but the agency's reservoir system continues to "efficiently manage water deliveries in times of drought as well as times of plenty."
A dry and warm March has been tough on Idaho where Gov. Dirk Kempthorne has declared a drought emergency in two counties and conditions worsen in the Snake River Basin.
Rain in northwest Montana has been insufficient to prevent drought conditions from spreading. Great Falls had the driest October-March period in 112 years of record, forecasters said.
