Learn More about Dry Weather and Drought

• What is drought? Find out here.
• Is drought predicted for your city or state this winter? Check out this map to find out.
• Look for signs of drought using this guide.
• How do plants and animals survive drought? Learn more here
• Find out how drought is measured by clicking here
• Learn how drought affects people and the environment
• When did the U.S. experience severe drought? Find out about historic droughts here.
• Learn more about deserts around the world and the animals and plants that live in them. Click here.

Low water level in lake in Arkansas, 1983. Photo by Tim McCabe. Copyright USDA National Resources Conservation Service.

Conserve Water

• Save water indoors by turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth, taking shorter showers, and asking your parents to fix leaky faucets.

• Find more tips to save water while in your house by clicking here.

• Save water outdoors by watering your lawn or garden in the early morning to reduce evaporation, not watering on cool or rainy days, and shutting off the water while you wash your family car.

• Check out the 100 ways you and your family can conserve water here.

Rice field irrigation in Arkansas. Photo by Tim Mccabe. Courtesy of USDA National Resources Conservation Service.

Learn More about Wildfire

Even though it’s winter, wildfire season has already started in some parts of the U.S.!

• Learn about the science of wildfire by reading This Thing Called Fire.

• Learn how wildfire and weather are connected with Weather Wiz Kids.
• Ever heard of a prescribed, or controlled, burn? Find out why park rangers sometimes need to start fires here.
• Check out these wildfire facts.
• What’s the wildfire news of the day? Find out here.
• Get the fire weather forecast for the U.S. here.

California wildfire, 2007. Photo by Andrea Booher. Copyright Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Prepare for Drought and Wildfire

• Find out if your home is in an area where wildfires are common, and make a family emergency plan in case a wildfire occurs.
• Help your parents create a “safety zone,” or an area without plants that burn easily, around your house.
• Remove any dead or dry trees and shrubs from your yard.
• Ask your parents to plant plants and grasses in your yard that are drought-tolerant (they like dry weather) and require less water.
• Use shrubs and ground cover in your yard instead of grass.
• Place mulch around your trees and plants. Mulch helps hold water in the soil.
• Learn how to take care of plants and pets during a drought by clicking here.

Arkansas farm during 1983 drought. Photo by Tim McCabe. Copyright USDA National Resources Conservation Service.