US (CA): Wildfires through the eyes of flower farmers

The threat to California’s flower farms from several Southern California wildfires is almost over. That said, flower farmers and others in the ag community can tell you it was an experience like no other – and something they hope to never experience again.

While fire officials are now focused on “mop up” activities in the Carpinteria area, the Thomas Fire appears to have left flower farms largely unscathed. Mandatory evacuation orders have made accessing farms and the daily harvesting flowers challenging, but those evacuation orders are anticipated to be lifted soon.

And yet what flower farmers saw, heard and felt as they endured the worst fires in the state’s history can’t be underestimated. Here’s a glimpse into a few of the experiences:

In Carpinteria, Dani Hahn of Rose Story Farm took to Instagram to share her farm’s story. She posted photos of an all-female strike crew, 25 of them, who took a stand at the edge of her farm at 2:30 a.m. fighting back the flames and literally saving the farm.

She also shared her concerns about losing the 150-year-old historic home on the farm, posting about the home’s history and thanking firefighters – some posted on her roof – for their efforts.

And at one point, there were 50 firefighters, eight fire trucks and three bulldozers protecting the farm as the fire approached the property line.

“It’s fascinating and terrifying at the same time,” Hahn describes. And the aftermath – “Otherworldly, it feels like you’re looking up and you’re on the moon.”

Hahn lost one row of about 200 rose plants, but is back in business and shipping out roses. What she feels most deeply is gratitude.

Read the whole story at the California Cut Flower Commission website.