While wildfires in British Columbia caused tens of thousands of people to evacuate, this weekend Southern California was drenched by its first tropical storm in decades. On the same day, an earthquake in Ventura County caused widespread shaking.
Kelowna, British Columbia
As the wildfires continue in Kelowna, B.C. causing significant evacuations, destruction of properties and buildings in the regions, a halt to many services and more, the first updates on the province's produce industry are coming in. The region is noted for its fruit growing and produces apples, stone fruit and much more. According to the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA), the province’s interior tree fruit industry represents 800 growers operating orchards and directly employs 1,500 people at the grower, packer and processor level.
Photo: Regional District Central Okanagan
One grower-shipper notes that many employees working in its offices have been evacuated due to the wildfires. At the BCFGA, Glen Lucas, general manager, provided an update. “[Affected were] mainly forests and 'interface' areas where residential properties at the edge of the city are among pine forest--though Lahaina (Hawaii) shows there are exceptions,” Lucas commented. “Typically, though, orchards are safe due to irrigation--the fires stop when they get to orchards.”
Just early this morning, Lucas added that cooler weather is allowing crews a reprieve from the very active fire activity. Rain expected for Tuesday-Wednesday will help further." Orchards are mainly unaffected by fire. "However, smoke may pause fieldwork for a day or to. Since this overlapped with the weekend, it caused minimal disruption."
Growers are hopeful that things will return to normal over the next few days. "This will be well in time for the start of apple and pear harvest in late August, early September. It's currently very smokey, but that filters any intense sum that might (if it were extreme) burn the fruit. While smoke might affect wine grapes, it won't affect tree fruit.
Hurricane Hilary
Further south, Hurricane Hilary made landfall in Mexico on Sunday and moved as a post-tropical cyclone through the southwestern United States. It caused fierce winds and historic amounts of rainfall in Southern California where residents are having to deal with downed power lines and flooded streets. Mountain and desert areas could receive 5 to 10 inches or rare rain, as much as the desert regions typically see in an entire year. Hilary is the first tropical storm to hit Southern California since 1939.
In the Los Angeles area, several records for daily rainfall amounts were broken, according to the National Weather Service. More than 20 flash flooding warnings were in effect, including the Los Angeles area, San Bernardino, Death Valley, Ventura, and Santa Clarita. From California, Hilary will move further north where it could also wreak havoc. Rainfall up to five inches is possible in parts of Oregon and Idaho, two significant produce growing states as well.
Just as California was preparing for Hilary’s arrival on Sunday afternoon, it was also struck by a 5.1 magnitude earthquake in the city of Ojai in Ventura County, about 80 miles northwest of Los Angeles. So far, there are no reports of damage or casualties. The Ojai Valley is agricultural rich and known for its Ojai Pixies, a tangerine fruit.
Flash flooding potential. Source: National Hurricane Center.
FreshPlaza will provide updates on the impact on the produce industry as more information becomes available.