Drought Task Force Convenes To Discuss Current Conditions Statewide

DATE: Friday, November 22, 2024
CONTACT: Vanessa Corson
CELL PHONE: (207) 592-6201
EMAIL:vanessa.corson@maine.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUSTA, MAINE – Maine’s Drought Task Force convened virtually yesterday, November 21st for the first time this season to discuss drought conditions across the state due to Maine experiencing an extreme precipitation deficit over the past 90 days. The National Weather Service offices in Gray and Caribou report rainfall deficits averaged 6 to 10 inches between September 1 and November 20, leading to one of the driest falls on record. Temperatures during this same period were well above normal, causing increased evaporation.

“Drought conditions will likely still be present when the ground freezes despite pending rainfall,” said NWS Gray’s Senior Service Hydrologist Sarah Jamison.

Data from the U.S. Drought Monitor show a small portion of southern York County is in severe drought. Part or all of Maine’s 16 counties are experiencing moderate drought. And northern Aroostook, as well as Somerset, Piscataquis, Franklin and Oxford Counties are abnormally dry.

“While pending rainfall may slightly improve drought conditions, we are not in the clear yet,” said MEMA Director Pete Rogers. “We ask Mainers who are experiencing dry wells to please report them on the Dry Well Survey.”

A total of twelve dry well survey submissions have been received since the beginning of 2024, with ten of those submissions being from the last two months. Maine homeowners with dry wells are encouraged to report this information on the Dry Well Survey. For assistance filling out the survey please call 211 or 1-877-463-6207, or text your Maine zip code to 898-211. Please note that reporting a dry well is not an application for assistance.

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) Public Service Coordinator Tom Gordon says that harvest activities were largely completed before severe drought occurred. Potato, wild blueberry, and vegetable crops appear to be excellent. Dry conditions generally help with harvest operations. A survey of Maine’s 16 Soil & Water Conservation Districts indicates that most areas are expressing concerns over low farm ponds, wells, and streams. Normal precipitation levels will be needed to restore agricultural water supplies for the 2025 growing season.

The Maine Forest Service reports there have been 581 wildfires to date, burning more than 265 acres. Statewide, there have been over 200 wildfires since October 1, and many have threatened or damaged structures. The Maine Forest Service recommends 30' of defensible space (partial clearing of brush) around all structures. More information can be found at: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_protection/firewise/homeowners.html

Another concern of Maine's Forest Rangers is the increase in equipment-caused wildfires. This category is usually not as common as escaped debris burns, but has spiked this fall. Please continue to be careful when using power equipment in our forests and fields. After this rain event, surface conditions could dry out quickly and a spark from a brush cutter or lawnmower could ignite vegetation.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Drinking Water Program (DWP) reports there have been relatively few drought-related water quantity and quality issues given that most of the state is in Moderate Drought (including in highly populated areas). Public Water Systems (PWSs) have made capital improvements over time to improve drought resilience and can more easily ride out drought conditions.

The Drought Task Force is made up of state, federal and private scientific, agricultural, regulatory, water use and natural resources organizations and assists in monitoring, coordinating, and managing responses to droughts and recommends actions to minimize impacts to public health, safety, the environment, and agriculture. The Drought Task Force will look to reconvene in December.

For more information please visit:

For safety and preparedness information, visit MEMA’s website or find us on Facebook, X and Nextdoor.

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