ALBANY COUNTY — While the entire state has been placed under a drought watch by the governor jointly with New York City’s mayor, Albany County is not one of the 15 counties under a drought warning.

However, two counties adjacent to Albany — Schoharie and Greene — are under a drought warning, part of a band that stretches south to and including New York City.

At the same time, according to the fire risk mapped by New York State Mesonet, Albany County is labeled as being under “very high” fire danger — again as part of a band stretching south to New York City and also including Long Island.

The drought warning is due to a continued shortage of rainfall and declining levels of streamflow and ground water, according to a release from the governor’s office.

The state is encouraging residents in affected counties, particularly those dependent on private groundwater wells, to conserve water whenever possible during the coming weeks.

New York City residents depend on upstate reservoirs for their water.

“As our city and watershed continues to experience significant precipitation shortages, today, I’m upgrading our drought watch to a drought warning, pausing our Delaware Aqueduct repair project, and ordering our agencies to immediately implement water saving measures,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in the Nov. 18 release.

“Our city vehicles may look a bit dirtier,” he went on, “and our subways may look a bit dustier, but it’s what we have to do to delay or stave off a more serious drought emergency.”

There are four levels of state drought advisories: watch, warning, emergency, and disaster.

There are no mandatory restrictions under a state drought watch. Under a drought warning, voluntary water conservation is intensified and public water supplies and industries are advised to update and implement local drought contingency plans.

Drought watches and warnings are triggered by the State Drought Index, which reflects precipitation levels, reservoir and lake levels, and stream flow and groundwater levels in the nine drought regions of the state.

Tips to conserve water

To protect water resources, homeowners in regions under the drought watch, which is currently statewide, or drought warning are encouraged to voluntarily reduce water use and follow these tips:

— Reuse water collected in rain barrels, dehumidifiers or air conditioners to water plants;

— Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks;

— Fix leaking pipes, fixtures, toilets, hoses, and faucets;

— Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry;

— Take shorter showers or fill the bathtub partly;

— Install water-saving plumbing fixtures;

— Don’t run the tap to make water hot or cold; and

— Wash cars less frequently.

Wildfire risk 

The dry weather also continues to create wildfire risk across the state, and last week, on Nov. 12, Governor Hochul announced a statewide burn ban to help prevent fire.

The Hudson Valley and Long Island fire danger is at “very high” risk; the Catskill, Upper Hudson Valley/Champlain, St. Lawrence, and Leatherstocking areas are “high;” Adirondack, High Peaks, Lake Ontario, and Southern Tier are currently at “moderate.”

Updated information about fire risk levels is available at DEC’s Fire Danger Map webpage.

Any outdoor fire can spread quickly, especially if the wind picks up; the release from the governor’s office says, noting that it is illegal to burn leaves anywhere in New York State. Campfires, it says, are among the top five causes of wildfires.