It has claimed one life, a 62-year-old woman found dead in her burned home last week.

CNN: June 18, 2012 -- Updated 0014 GMT (0814 HKT)

"We would be severely burned or dead, " Jacqueline said.

CNN: Wildfire victims face second tragedy

Less so, the dead fields of Arkansas, the dried-up rivers of Illinois, or the burned out pastures of Oklahoma.

FORBES: Beneath a Parched Surface, the Great Midwest Drought of 2012 Doesn't Go Social