Gov. John Kitzhaber declared drought emergencies Friday in four southern Oregon counties. Klamath, Lake, Harney and Malheur counties are affected.
Commissioners in all four counties recently declared drought emergencies, and asked the governor for help.
The Southern Oregon counties are suffering the same conditions that are afflicting California. The Klamath Basin straddles the border between California and Oregon.
The governor’s announcement comes on the same day that Barack Obama is visiting Fresno, Calif. The president is meeting with officials there about the drought and water shortages.