Daily Express – Western Pacific Island News – Drought conditions are improving and wildfire frequency is decreasing in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

After more than a month of extreme drought, conditions in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands have greatly improved and are now in a moderate drought (D1) status. According to the drought update as of June 21 released by the National Weather Service near Tijan, Guam, Saipan and Tinian are now in drought status D1 (or moderate drought), while Rota is now in drought status D2 (or severe drought). The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands had been in drought status D3 (or extreme drought) for more than a month. According to the National Weather Service, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands continues to experience drought; however, the frequency of forest fires has decreased since the peak in March-April due to increased rainfall from past winds and rains. The National Weather Service added that recent reports indicate that vegetation has returned to green after recent showers.