California Agriculture
California Agriculture
California Agriculture
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California Agriculture

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California wine grape growers need support to manage risks from wildfire and smoke

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Authors

Emily Zakowski, Farm Foundation
Lauren E. Parker, USDA California Climate Hub and UC Davis Institute of the Environment
Devon Johnson, USDA California Climate Hub and UC Davis Institute of the Environment
John Aguirre, California Association of Winegrape Growers
Steven M. Ostoja, USDA California Climate Hub, USDA-ARS, and UC Davis Institute of the Environment

Publication Information

California Agriculture 77(2):40-48. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0006

Published online July 17, 2023

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Abstract

California has experienced an increase in the size and severity of wildfires in recent years, with wide-ranging impacts to agriculture. The 2020 wildfire season was particularly catastrophic, causing billions of dollars in damage to the state's world-renowned wine industry. Wine grape growers and wine producers statewide were recently surveyed to better understand the wildfire informational resources available to producers, as well as the role wildfire risk plays in operational management decisions. The survey results show that the negative impacts of wildfires on wine production may be the result of wildfire smoke more than of the actual wildfires. We also show that managers do not always make operational changes, even when they perceive increased wildfire risk. Despite diverse sources of wildfire-related information and operational guidance, there is not enough information to effectively manage fire risk.

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California wine grape growers need support to manage risks from wildfire and smoke

Emily Zakowski, Lauren Parker, Devon Johnson, John Aguirre, Steven Ostoja
Webmaster Email: sjosterman@ucanr.edu

California wine grape growers need support to manage risks from wildfire and smoke

Share using any of the popular social networks Share by sending an email Print article
Share using any of the popular social networks Share by sending an email Print article

Authors

Emily Zakowski, Farm Foundation
Lauren E. Parker, USDA California Climate Hub and UC Davis Institute of the Environment
Devon Johnson, USDA California Climate Hub and UC Davis Institute of the Environment
John Aguirre, California Association of Winegrape Growers
Steven M. Ostoja, USDA California Climate Hub, USDA-ARS, and UC Davis Institute of the Environment

Publication Information

California Agriculture 77(2):40-48. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0006

Published online July 17, 2023

PDF  |  Citation  |  Permissions

Author Affiliations show

Abstract

California has experienced an increase in the size and severity of wildfires in recent years, with wide-ranging impacts to agriculture. The 2020 wildfire season was particularly catastrophic, causing billions of dollars in damage to the state's world-renowned wine industry. Wine grape growers and wine producers statewide were recently surveyed to better understand the wildfire informational resources available to producers, as well as the role wildfire risk plays in operational management decisions. The survey results show that the negative impacts of wildfires on wine production may be the result of wildfire smoke more than of the actual wildfires. We also show that managers do not always make operational changes, even when they perceive increased wildfire risk. Despite diverse sources of wildfire-related information and operational guidance, there is not enough information to effectively manage fire risk.

Full text

Full text is available in PDF.

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