![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CXQMKFD5W7ICXF3O5AAFYRSKMM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9d06471664753b230fc9d5f03f621a87a21372d105fb039e611adf79e8034df8&width=400&height=225)
The Mendocino Complex blaze was the largest fire in California history. AFP / Josh Edelson
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7K5GDVTUKDKWWRP7Y3SYQN4UPQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1b0a6d29127d16b5b950bbd2d9b7327e944cd343648376f66aabc434b16f7246&width=400&height=225)
The current drought in California's Mendocino County – an area known for outstanding beauty – is showcasing the region's precarious water situation.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JI5I4NQC2OPLGQIBGZDXSJSXB4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d45a3946f861922d4583574ece6318438f0a910aeec724cf59d9c5e010e26c85&width=400&height=225)
Gavin Newsom holds a conference in the parched basin of Lake Mendocino in Ukiah, California, where he announced a drought emergency for Mendocino and Sonoma counties. Kent Porter / The Press Democrat via AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KPZYBBEA62C72TYG6X6O3QMF3E.jpg?smart=true&auth=3ff97e7f216532ea385cc204b907d9a82ded18c93a34a8f409f91887567ecb09&width=400&height=225)
Mr Newsom asked people to voluntarily reduce their water use by 15 per cent in the middle of the drought. Kent Porter / The Press Democrat via AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DHADCPQ4P6GAPYLTHXWLCGJDCQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=2ee6794ddcc3d558923955b8704e6144743459bb47e6726324d4ae1abbc23476&width=400&height=225)
Mr Newsom also added nine more counties to the state's emergency proclamation. AP Photo / Josh Edelson
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CUPFL753K5MXAQMS7KMNZUBIZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=045ffb077aa9cae0a7630a57ffa2aab6c14b95711739c8086fa5c03eca653e06&width=400&height=225)
An air tanker flies over a vineyard during the Mendocino Complex fire in Lakeport, California, in 2018. AFP / Josh Edelson
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CXQMKFD5W7ICXF3O5AAFYRSKMM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9d06471664753b230fc9d5f03f621a87a21372d105fb039e611adf79e8034df8&width=400&height=225)
The Mendocino Complex blaze was the largest fire in California history. AFP / Josh Edelson
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7K5GDVTUKDKWWRP7Y3SYQN4UPQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1b0a6d29127d16b5b950bbd2d9b7327e944cd343648376f66aabc434b16f7246&width=400&height=225)
The current drought in California's Mendocino County – an area known for outstanding beauty – is showcasing the region's precarious water situation.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JI5I4NQC2OPLGQIBGZDXSJSXB4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d45a3946f861922d4583574ece6318438f0a910aeec724cf59d9c5e010e26c85&width=400&height=225)
Gavin Newsom holds a conference in the parched basin of Lake Mendocino in Ukiah, California, where he announced a drought emergency for Mendocino and Sonoma counties. Kent Porter / The Press Democrat via AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KPZYBBEA62C72TYG6X6O3QMF3E.jpg?smart=true&auth=3ff97e7f216532ea385cc204b907d9a82ded18c93a34a8f409f91887567ecb09&width=400&height=225)
Mr Newsom asked people to voluntarily reduce their water use by 15 per cent in the middle of the drought. Kent Porter / The Press Democrat via AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DHADCPQ4P6GAPYLTHXWLCGJDCQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=2ee6794ddcc3d558923955b8704e6144743459bb47e6726324d4ae1abbc23476&width=400&height=225)
Mr Newsom also added nine more counties to the state's emergency proclamation. AP Photo / Josh Edelson
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CUPFL753K5MXAQMS7KMNZUBIZM.jpg?smart=true&auth=045ffb077aa9cae0a7630a57ffa2aab6c14b95711739c8086fa5c03eca653e06&width=400&height=225)
An air tanker flies over a vineyard during the Mendocino Complex fire in Lakeport, California, in 2018. AFP / Josh Edelson
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CXQMKFD5W7ICXF3O5AAFYRSKMM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9d06471664753b230fc9d5f03f621a87a21372d105fb039e611adf79e8034df8&width=400&height=225)
The Mendocino Complex blaze was the largest fire in California history. AFP / Josh Edelson
California drought: town uses trucked water amid shortages
Residents of Mendocino have had to make radical adjustments to cope with diminishing water supplies
![The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F9e2159fa-e4db-4215-b498-6b3607b75bee.png?smart=true&auth=cf728de2f2d93afc214682199f23d53c844677eb59567fe99abdb1c7e9f03161&width=70&height=70)
The National
24 July, 2021
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic