Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Fire Damage Tally Includes $24 Million Hit to Avocado Industry

The wildfires that raced through San Diego County last month caused more than $42 million in crop damage. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

Fire Damage Tally Includes $24 Million Hit to Avocado Industry

The wildfires that raced through San Diego County last month caused more than $42 million in crop damage. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

The county agricultural commissioners office says estimates show more than half the damage was to avocados, with about $24 million in losses on 1,700 acres. Much of the rest of the reported damage was suffered in ornamental trees and shrubs and cut flowers.

Advertisement

Other county crops with losses include indoor flowering and foliage plants, lemons, and poultry and egg ranches.

The county recorded damages to 19 different crops ranging from Christmas trees to macadamia nuts. Nearly 8,700 acres of agricultural land were damaged in the fires. The figures do not include damage to irrigation systems, supplies, farm equipment or farm structures.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.