"California Governor Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency on Friday, a move that will allow the parched state to seek federal aid as it grapples with what could turn out to be the driest year in recorded state history for many areas."

"The dry year California experienced in 2013 has left fresh water reservoirs with a fraction of their normal reserves and slowed the normally full American River so dramatically that brush and dry riverbed are showing through in areas normally teeming with fish.

'We can't make it rain, but we can be much better prepared for the terrible consequences that California's drought now threatens, including dramatically less water for our farms and communities and increased fires in both urban and rural areas,' Brown, a Democrat, said in a statement.

'I've declared this emergency and I'm calling all Californians to conserve water in every way possible,' he said, in a move that will allow him to call for conservation measures and provide flexibility in deciding state water priorities."

Sarah McBride reports for Reuters January 17, 2014. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Severe Drought Grows Worse in California" (New York Times) [3]

"Far West Got Drier Last Year, Data Shows" (New York Times) [4]

"Wildfire in Hills Near Los Angeles Is Largely Contained" (Reuters) [5]

"6 Scary Facts About California's Drought" (Mother Jones/Climate Desk) [6]

"As California Drought Looms, Political Division Could Slow Solutions To a Trickle" (Fresno Bee) [6]

"California Areas Brace for Water Rationing as Reservoir Levels Fall" (Los Angeles Times) [7]

"Exceptional Dryness Brings the Hazy Days of Winter" (Los Angeles Times) [8]