ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The amount of moisture received across the United States' southern high plains since October has been ridiculously low, and forecasters warned Friday that the intensifying drought has resulted in critical fire danger and some winter wheat crops being reduced to stubble across several states.

Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said during a national briefing that some areas in the region have received less than one-tenth of an inch of rain in the past five months and that's perhaps the longest period of time these areas have been without rain since record-kee...