Extreme drought conditions returned to parts of southeast Arizona during the latter half of February.  For the water year beginning in October of 2013, most areas only received 25 to 50 percent of normal precipitation through February. There was only one significant precipitation event during that time period, which occurred in November.

Drought in SOUTHEAST PINAL COUNTY, ARIZONA
From 18-FEB-14 05:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought (D2) conditions present over much of southeast Arizona deteriorated into the extreme drought (D3) category in eastern Pinal, western Graham, extreme northeastern Pima and much of northern Cochise counties by mid February. These  counties were among those listed as primary natural disaster areas by the USDA. The growing season had not yet started, so vegetation impacts were minimal, but soil moisture conditions were generally less than 30 percent of normal and San Carlos Reservoir was a less than 14 percent of capacity. Fuel dryness levels were drier than the long term average for February and significantly drier than in February 2013.

Drought in UPPER SAN PEDRO RIVER VALLEY, ARIZONA
From 18-FEB-14 05:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought (D2) conditions present over much of southeast Arizona deteriorated into the extreme drought (D3) category in eastern Pinal, western Graham, extreme northeastern Pima and much of northern Cochise counties by mid February. These  counties were among those listed as primary natural disaster areas by the USDA. The growing season had not yet started, so vegetation impacts were minimal, but soil moisture conditions were generally less than 30 percent of normal and San Carlos Reservoir was a less than 14 percent of capacity. Fuel dryness levels were drier than the long term average for February and significantly drier than in February 2013.

Drought in EASTERN COCHISE COUNTY BELOW 5000 FEET, ARIZONA
From 18-FEB-14 05:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought (D2) conditions present over much of southeast Arizona deteriorated into the extreme drought (D3) category in eastern Pinal, western Graham, extreme northeastern Pima and much of northern Cochise counties by mid February. These  counties were among those listed as primary natural disaster areas by the USDA. The growing season had not yet started, so vegetation impacts were minimal, but soil moisture conditions were generally less than 30 percent of normal and San Carlos Reservoir was a less than 14 percent of capacity. Fuel dryness levels were drier than the long term average for February and significantly drier than in February 2013.

Drought in UPPER GILA RIVER AND ARAVAIPA VALLEYS, ARIZONA
From 18-FEB-14 05:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought (D2) conditions present over much of southeast Arizona deteriorated into the extreme drought (D3) category in eastern Pinal, western Graham, extreme northeastern Pima and much of northern Cochise counties by mid February. These  counties were among those listed as primary natural disaster areas by the USDA. The growing season had not yet started, so vegetation impacts were minimal, but soil moisture conditions were generally less than 30 percent of normal and San Carlos Reservoir was a less than 14 percent of capacity. Fuel dryness levels were drier than the long term average for February and significantly drier than in February 2013.

Drought in GALIURO AND PINALENO MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA
From 18-FEB-14 05:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought (D2) conditions present over much of southeast Arizona deteriorated into the extreme drought (D3) category in eastern Pinal, western Graham, extreme northeastern Pima and much of northern Cochise counties by mid February. These  counties were among those listed as primary natural disaster areas by the USDA. The growing season had not yet started, so vegetation impacts were minimal, but soil moisture conditions were generally less than 30 percent of normal and San Carlos Reservoir was a less than 14 percent of capacity. Fuel dryness levels were drier than the long term average for February and significantly drier than in February 2013.

Drought in CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA
From 18-FEB-14 05:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought (D2) conditions present over much of southeast Arizona deteriorated into the extreme drought (D3) category in eastern Pinal, western Graham, extreme northeastern Pima and much of northern Cochise counties by mid February. These  counties were among those listed as primary natural disaster areas by the USDA. The growing season had not yet started, so vegetation impacts were minimal, but soil moisture conditions were generally less than 30 percent of normal and San Carlos Reservoir was a less than 14 percent of capacity. Fuel dryness levels were drier than the long term average for February and significantly drier than in February 2013.