National Drought Mitigation Center
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National Drought Mitigation Center
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Placitas, New Mexico, blowing dust causing allergies, fire restrictions
5/13/2014 4:20:21 PM



CATEGORIES:
Fire
Plants & Wildlife
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Society & Public Health
AFFECTED AREAS:
Placitas, NM

Start Date: 5/8/2014 - End Date: 5/8/2014
Surface water flows are insufficient for irrigation in the 3 acequia districts of Placitas. Las Huertas creek goes underground just downstream of the Sandia Man Cave. The spring flush, mostly supported by the ground/soil moisture from last summer/fall, is over and the wildflowers are maturing and setting seed. Cheat grass and other cool season grasses are maturing and setting seed, while the warm season range grasses are small and barely greened up. Dry wind storms continue to evaporate and pull soil moisture up out of the ground. Blowing dust is becoming common in the valley and west mesa/lower elevations, and pollen and dust allergies are worsening. Dryness is also setting up stage one fire restrictions in some national forests. Large, native trees continue to die from drought stress, and cultivated landscape trees/shrubs are likewise stressed, needing extra water, weeding and mulch. CoCoRaHS Report from Station #Placitas 3.8 ENE on 5/8/2014
Sources