The Navajo Nation Commission on Emergency Management (CEM) unanimously approved Resolution No. 25-005, officially declaring a State of Emergency in response to worsening drought conditions across the Nation. All six commissioners voted in favor of the resolution. … Resolution 25-005 addresses a range of urgent concerns, including critically low precipitation, deteriorating rangelands, declining water infrastructure, and heightened wildfire risks. The declaration calls on livestock owners to reduce herd sizes, instructs Grazing Officials to update tally counts, and encourages farmers to shift to drought-resistant crops. It also places restrictions on irrigation to conserve dwindling lake and reservoir supplies. … The resolution authorizes $6,553,730 from the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to be directed toward critical repairs to windmills and the installation of water storage systems in drought-affected communities. 

Other drought news:

• KJZZ (Phoenix, Ariz.): Navajo Nation declares drought emergency
• Utah News Dispatch (Salt Lake City): With water use up amid heat, SLC officials urge residents to be mindful of drought and conserve
• Syracuse University: News release: What can ancient climate tell us about modern droughts?​​
• Sierra Club: Blog: From drought to deluge — What the LA fires and Hurricane Helene have in common