BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- The Kern County Desert has begun to see the affects of the Golden State's increasing drought. The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor Report shows a portion of the Kern County desert has now been upgraded to a dark orange, classifying it in the D2 "severe drought" status. Southwest Bakersfield Kern County Library reopens after year-long construction project However it's not just eastern Kern County that's being affected. Severe Drought has been expanded to include all of southern California, due to the very dry start to the water year from Oct. 1, 2024 through Jan. 13, 2025. So far, the southland has only averaged water year totals less than 5% of normal. San Diego is also experiencing its driest start to the water year. The D2 drought area covers Los Angeles and Ventura counties which are being affected by seasonal Santa Ana winds drying out vegetation and fueling large wildfires. Thankfully, the previous two wet winters managed to overfill large reservoirs throughout California. These water reservoirs remain at or above normal levels.