Agricultural Impact of California Wildfires

The wildfires raging through Southern California could have a notable impact on the states agriculture industry, including production of avocadoes, citrus crops and strawberries. Although emergency workers in the area initially estimated that nearly 20,000 acres of avocado trees in northern San Diego County had been lost due to the ongoing wildfires in the areaa number that would account for at least a third of the state of Californias cropand another 15,000 acres still face a threat from the fires, Guy Witney, director of industry affairs, California Avocado Commission, Irvine, has rebuked that estimate. He notes: Early reports from other sources stated that 20,000 acres of avocados were lost in the fires in San Diego. This information was incorrect. The Los Angeles Times today reports that the fires are only 30% contained. Officials note that at least one of the fires is suspected to have started as a result of arson.

In related news, USDA has approved disaster relief food stamps and the president has announced that disaster relief aid has been cleared for the people and communities affected by the wildfires.

Once the fires are contained, it will take weeks to accurately estimate the full impact on California agriculture.