The U.S. Department of Agriculture named Los Angeles and San Bernardino among 27 California counties designated primary natural disaster areas due to recent drought. San Diego was not among those listed.
The designations come on the same day authorities ordered evacuations amid a 1,700-acre wildfire raging in northeast Los Angeles. San Diego County and a large part of Southern California are under a red flag warning for the fourth consecutive day.
California Counties Designated Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Alameda
Alpine
Amador
Calaveras
Contra Costa
El Dorado
Fresno
Inyo
Kern
Kings
Los Angeles
Madera
Mariposa
Merced
Mono
Monterey
Sacramento
Santa Clara
San Benito
San Bernardino
San Joaquin
San Luis Obispo
Santa Barbara
Stanislaus
Tulare
Tuolmne
Ventura
Source: USDA Farm Service Agency
"Our hearts go out to those California farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.
“President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the successes of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We’re also telling California producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood,” he said.
California is experiencing its third straight dry winter, and a recent evaluation of the state's dismal snow pack underscores the severity of the problem.
According to the USDA, farmers and ranchers in Orange, Riverside, Santa Cruz, Sutter, Placer San Mateo, Solano and Yolo counties "also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous."
Counties in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas were also named.
