On Capital Public Radio's Insight, Rudolph pointed out that the lack of rain can dry out soils. That could increase dust levels, and dust carries pollen.
"[This] increases allergy and asthma. And dust can also carry pathogens. Over the last decade we've seen an increase in Valley Fever, a fungal disease in the Central Valley. That can be increased when dust levels increase and the spores of this disease are carried in the dust."
~Dr. Linda Rudolph, Center for Climate Change and Health
Rudolph says the drought could also trigger other health problems such as an increase in diabetes in some poor, rural communities. She says when drinking water becomes scarce, people turn to other fluids.
"And when those other alternatives are things like soda, it just exacerbates health problems such as obesity," she says.
Rudolph says droughts can also reduce agricultural crop yields leading to significant food price increases.
"And we see the same thing when people have to pay more for food. Low income people often turn to calorie dense food that is associated with more calories, obesity and diabetes," she says.
The drought can be blamed for a number of problems and the latest is a major decline in the duck population. A new survey shows lack of rain has led to poor habitats.
UPDATED: 6:45 p.m. - Containment has grown to 29 percent, and acreage burned to 17,622. Crews on the Washington Fire, three miles south of Markleeville, took advantage of light winds to increase containment.
California water regulators are again ordering some water rights holders to stop diverting water from rivers because of the drought. The order includes some rights for the city of San Francisco.
CAL FIRE increases staffing as the forecast of dry lightning and thunderstorms raises wildfire risk in northern California and western Nevada.
The Washington Fire has burned within about three miles of the small town of Markleeville in Alpine County. But crews have made protecting the community a priority.