Little reprieve is forecast from the drought affecting much of the Northern Marianas.
The US National Weather Service says the Northern Marianas has had little rainfall since January, which will likely continue for the next couple of months.
On the main island, Saipan, RNZ Pacific's correspondent said dwindling freshwater resources could be a problem, and dried-out vegetation and leftover debris from last year's Typhoon Yutu could pose a fire risk.
The northern Marshall Islands and parts of the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau have also received much less rainfall than normal over the past few months.
The weather service is urging island leaders to prepare for a long period of dry conditions.
