Story Highlights A severe drought is now impacting portions of Montana Farmers and ranchers report poor soil conditions in many areas A Drought Disaster declaration is expected on Friday To get a sense of just how bad things are in the eastern part of Montana, you have to look back at the last couple months.
On May 18, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed just two counties in eastern Montana were experiencing "abnormally dry" conditions.
This is now the worst drought to affect northeast Montana since the U.S. Drought Monitor was first issued in 2000.
Numerous farmers and ranchers in the area tell KRTV these are the worst conditions they’ve experienced since 1988.
This area has received a little bit of rain (.12" at Glasgow Valley County Airport) in June, but even that has disappeared.
Strong winds in recent weeks has accelerated the evaporation process, stripping the ground of its moisture.
Even though showers and thunderstorms have moved over the area, the water is evaporating almost immediately, leaving the ground dry and cracked.
The Executive Order (EO), expected on Friday, would cover issues like wildfires, water hauling, and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program lands.
19 counties are expected to be included in the EO: Hill, Blaine, Phillips, Valley, Daniels, Sheridan, Roosevelt, Richland, McCone, Garfield, Petroleum, Rosebud, Prairie, Dawson, Wibaux, Fallon, Custer, Carter and Powder River.
Hay Hotline According to the drought committee, areas listed as "extreme" on the U.S. Drought Monitor are fast-tracked for a Secretarial Drought Designation, and therefore eligible for certain Farm Service Agency programs.