Infographic: California Hasn't Been This Dry in a Millennium

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The Crown and Sceptre Issue

Infographic: California Hasn't Been This Dry in a Millennium

The drought is fanning literal and figurative flames.

California, our most populous and agriculturally productive state, has long struggled to keep water flowing to its residents and farms, and lately it's had a harder time than ever. Last year was its hottest and third-driest on record, and the recent drought is pushing residents to use more groundwater, which in turn is causing the San Joaquin Valley to sink (up to two inches a month in some areas). The drought is also fanning literal and figurative flames, as wildfires find more to consume and local groups fight over water rights.

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For more on this, check out the rest of the November Issue of VICE and our story about how the drought has led to conflict between Native Americans and weed growers.

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