NO GLOBAL WARMING?
England sees driest May in a century as drought hits UK
With fields left parched and rivers at record lows, government officials and experts meet to discuss the drought across the UK.
England suffered its driest May in a century last month, leaving fields parched and many rivers at record lows, the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) said on Friday, as government officials met experts and utilities to discuss the drought conditions prevailing in many parts of the country.
Terry Marsh, senior hydrologist at the CEH, said: “Late May soils were the driest on record across large parts of eastern and central England, causing substantial agricultural stress [and] impacting on crop yields. Currently, the most evident hydrological impact of the drought is on river flows across much of southern Britain — flows in responsive rivers were close to, or below, previous late-May minima over wide areas.”
The drought conditions will continue even if rainfall returns in the next two months, because the soils are so dry it will take longer to recover than usual.
ARIZONA WILD FIRE
Authorities say a raging wildfire that could become the largest in Arizona’s history is now 5 percent contained after charring more than 386,000 acres and destroying 22 homes in Greer.
The Wallow Fire has burned more than 525 square miles in Eastern Arizona. But fire officials Thursday evening said they were optimistic some residents who have been forced to flee the flames would be allowed back home by the weekend.
Full evacuations were still in place for Eagar, Springerville, Sunrise, Greer, Blue River, Alpine, Nutrioso and many subdivisions. More than 5,000 residences are threatened by the massive fire, officials said.
Fire officials reported earlier Thursday that six homes were burned overnight in Greer. But crews finished touring the area and assessing the damage by late afternoon and said 22 homes in Greer were destroyed and five other homes were damaged.
Dr. Pinna says:
This is the driest period since records have been kept.
Plants cannot live without water. No plants = No animals.
