Raging fires that have swept southern California in the last four days are expected to have caused extensive damage to avocado and citrus crops in the State.
President George Bush has declared seven counties in the state as disaster areas, but it will take several days to accurately assess the damage from the fires, after they die down.
The California Farm Bureau Federation has said, however, that avocados have felt the force of both wind and fire. Early estimates from marketing desks, made before the fires had burned out, are putting potential losses at upwards of 10 per cent of the crop.
"Emergency officials estimate as much as one third of the state's acreage stood in the path of wildfires. The commission will survey farmers to gather updated information about losses, but the combination of wind and fire causes serious concerns," the CFBF said yesterday.
Unofficial reports today [Friday] suggested that the losses in certain counties could be as high as 80 per cent, but the California Avocado Commission said accounts of avocado losses have been overstated. "Early reports from other sources stated that 20,000 acres of avocados were lost in the fires in San Diego. This information was incorrect," said Guy Witney, the Commission's director of industry affairs. "The actual area affected is expected to be only a fraction of that amount.
"Our primary concern has been the personal safety of our growers and their families," said Commission president Mark Affleck. "Some growers have suffered losses and we will do everything possible to help them through this difficult time."
Lemon groves, have also been caught up in the blazes and reports suggest pumpkins are being damaged by dust and wind, and strawberries are in serious danger due to the hot, dry atmosphere.
The most extensive farm-related damage is thought to have occurred in San Diego County, said an online report. “Farmers in other regions of the state continue working to protect their crops from fire as best they can,” it added.
"Right now, we're running drip lines and operating water tank trucks to keep the perimeters of our ranches wet," said Ventura County avocado and lemon farmer David Schwabauer.
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