The Latest: Forecasters warn of fire danger, crop damage

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – Forecasters and climatologists say the amount of moisture received across the United States’ southern high plains since October has been ridiculously low, resulting in critical fire danger and winter wheat crops being reduced to stubble across several states.
Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said Friday during a national briefing that some areas in the region have received less than one-tenth of an inch of rain in the past five months.
He said the lack of rain has combined with above normal temperatures across parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas to make for record dry conditions in some spots.
He warned that the warm and dry weather is expected to continue through the spring, resulting in continued crop damage, dwindling irrigation supplies, and more wildfires. He showed satellite maps that show smoke and dust plumes moving across the region.