OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Department of Ecology expanded a drought emergency Thursday to include more counties in Washington state, particularly on the west and central portions of the state.

Ecology previously declared a drought for the Yakima Basin watersheds in April .

Since then, conditions in Whatcom, Skagit and portions of Snohomish, King, Pierce, Thurston, Okanogan, Chelan, Clallam, Jefferson and Ferry counties have deteriorated due to "early and rapid snowmelt," particularly across the North and Central Cascades.

This means that less water will be available in summer and early fall when farms and fish need it the most.

Ecology's Statewide Drought Lead Caroline Mellor said the rate of snowmelt over April and May has been "unusually rapid," with snowpack melting away more than a mon

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