OLYMPIA, Wash. - The Washington Department of Ecology expanded its drought emergency to include areas in the North and Central Cascade Mountains and parts of the Puget Sound area.

Ecology initially declared a drought for the Yakima Basin watersheds on April 8, with a drought advisory for the Puget Sound region and portions of the Central and North Cascades.

“With an especially early spring snowmelt, we saw the need to take action to protect water supplies for the hot months ahead.” He emphasized that expanding the drought declaration will help protect Washington’s farmers, fish, and communities," said Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller.

Caroline Mellor, Ecology’s statewide drought lead, said even though it is normal to see snowmelt in the spring, it has been unusually rapid in the last c

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