California's Drought Sets the Stage for Intense Fire Season
It's early April, but concern is already building for the 2022 fire season. Statewide, snowpacks are at 38% of average, and the Klamath Basin is even worse off - the Klamath National Forest just released a report showing that the area's snowpack is at 16% of the historical average. This does not bode well for forests, fish, wildlife, or our river communities.
Meanwhile, legal disputes are beginning to form over how the little water available should be used. Explore the articles below to learn more.
News
Little Snow Is Left in California, Setting Up a Dangerous Wildfire Season News and Research - Scientific American
As of April 1, statewide snowpack stood at just 38 percent of the average for that date
Klamath National Forest snowpack at 16% of historic average as drought conditions persist | Local | kdrv.com
YREKA, Calif. -- Record low snowpack levels continue to plaque the state of California as dry and unseasonably warm temperatures continue to persist.
Klamath irrigators vote for water deliveries even if it puts federal drought funding at risk | Jefferson Public Radio
A group of farmers and ranchers in Southern Oregon have voted in favor of trying to access water in the parched Klamath Basin, even if it puts their access to federal drought funding in jeopardy.
Judge halts curtailment for Siskiyou County irrigators
Irrigators in Siskiyou County have won a court ruling to temporarily block a state water curtailment order that would have prevented area farmers and ranchers from tapping into percolating groundwater supplies they have relied on for decades.
CA wildfires: Risk high in 2022 amid drought, climate change | The Sacramento Bee
Most of California is bone dry. Climate change is growing demonstrably more extreme by the year. And even though some significant rain fell earlier this week, it’s well short of a “March miracle.” This year figures to be a bad one – another bad one – for California wildfires.
How the Indigenous practice of ‘good fire’ can help our forests thrive | University of California
Once outlawed, cultural burns can save our forests from uncontrollable wildfire
California offers $100 million for tribes to buy back their land | Grist
“Let’s face it, this is California: $100 million goes nowhere.”
Siskiyou County Water Users Association oppose removal of Klamath Dams | KTVL
The Siskiyou County Water Users Association is throwing its opposition against the removal of four dams along the Klamath River. Built as part of a mostly-defunct hydroelectric project, the dams are being considered for removal to prevent toxic algal blooms and restoreheavily declining salmon populations. The dams do not provide irrigation. Richard Marshall, president of the SCWUA believes that the dams don't need to be removed to improve salmon populations.
California bracing for what could be another bad wildfire season
Much of California is already in wildfire season after an extremely dry winter left vegetation brittle and water levels low.
Klamath irrigators vote for water deliveries even if it puts federal drought funding at risk - OPB
A group of farmers and ranchers in Southern Oregon have voted in favor of trying to access water in the parched Klamath Basin, even if it puts their access to federal drought funding in jeopardy.
West Coast Water Justice Podcast | SCS
Keith Parker, Senior Fisheries Biologist for the Yurok Tribe explains some of the basics that make up a healthy fishery and river ecosystem. We learn about the different salmon runs and basic salmon genetics. He shares his background in Indigenous ecological knowledge and Western science and how together they inform the Klamath Dam Removal process. Keith makes it clear that the loss of these fish and traditional foods are as much a social justice issue as a biological issue. To lose species like salmon is more than just a loss of biodiversity, it is a loss of cultural heritage.
California condors will soon return to tribal lands - Los Angeles Times
Even as a Yurok tribe releases California condors on tribal lands, wind farms pose a new threat to the critically endangered species.
In Case You Missed It...
New Stone Lagoon Visitor Center opens showcasing Yurok tribe | KRCR
On Thursday, the Yurok Tribe, in partnership with California State Parks, unveiled the brand new Chah-pekw O’ Ket’-toh “Stone Lagoon” Visitor Center. The center marks the first tribally operated visitor center within the State Park system. The Yurok Tribe and California State Parks held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion Thursday afternoon. The Stone Lagoon Visitor Center allows guests to learn more about the people and culture of the Yurok tribe.
Yurok Tribe opens first tribally operated state park visitor center | Jefferson Public Radio
The Yurok Tribe of California’s northern coast celebrated the grand opening of the first tribally operated visitor center within the state park system.
