Valley Solutions

California is on fire

SF Chronicle. CA Fire that ripped through historic Gold Rush town is now a mega-blaze.
Synopsis: Late Tuesday, fire ravaged Chinese Camp along Hwy 120 as lightning sparked 22 fires in Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Calaveras counties.  The 6-5 Fire forced evacuation of the old Gold Rush community while closing both sides of Hwy 120. The 2-7 Fire destroyed several structures in Vallecito. Don Pedro Dam Road, Old Don Pedro Dam Road, Menkee Hess Road and Red Hill Road are all closed. As of Wednesday morning, the fire was listed at 12,400 acres with 0% containment. Shelters are open at Bret Harte High School, the Sonora Senior Center and Calaveras County Fairgrounds.  

GV Wire. Garnet Fire in Fresno County grows to nearly 30,000 acres in Sierra National Forest.
Synopsis: The lightning-sparked fire has been burning since Aug. 24 and now has scorched 30,000 acres. There are 1,851 people fighting the fire, and residents in several areas have been told to evacuate. Crews are working to keep the fire from spreading into the McKinley Grove at Giant Sequoias. The fire is about 2 miles from Wishon Reservoir.

GV Wire. Fresno County wildfire near Coalinga grows to 5,000 acres, prompts evacuation order.
Synopsis: The Salt 14-2 Fire grew from 60 acres to 5,000 in 24 hours Tuesday. The 200 firefighters assigned to the fight have achieved 5% containment despite extremely difficult terrain. One helicopter and two dozer crews are fighting the fire west of Coalinga.

KSEE / CBS47. Over 2,000 acres ignited near Huron in ‘Marmon Fire.’
Synopsis: Crews had 30% containment in a fire that ignited just before midnight Tuesday. The CHP closed Hwy 269 and Hwy 198 but no evacuation orders in the community of Huron have been issued.

What’s bothering farmers?

Ag Net West. Don Cameron on labor, water and innovation.
Synopsis: Interviewer Nick Papagni talks to Don Cameron, president of the CA State Board of Food & Ag. The conversation echoed the roundtable discussion conducted by Rep. Adam Gray in Los Banos recently, with labor shortages leading the list of topics. Cameron, like many growers, sees real benefit in allowing long-term workers a smoother, more secure status. Other issues included water (always), sustainable farming, automation, competing on global markets and financial pressures of farming.

Ag Daily. Farmer sentiment falls again in August amid profitability divide.
Synopsis: The monthly Purdue University Ag Barometer Index fell 10 points to 125 in August, the lowest level since September 2024. The drop was worse when farmers were asked about the long-term future of farming – a 16-point drop. Farmers were asked about the availability of operating loans, and 26% said they had to borrow more this year than last. In January, only 18% expected to borrow more to make ends meet until harvest.

We can reverse subsidence

Fresno Bee. Land subsidence is a statewide threat that must be addressed. 
Synopsis: Allison Febbo writes about Westlands Water District’s efforts to prevent sinking land, cracked canals and broken bridges. This isn’t just a Valley problem because our Valley feeds America. “If we can’t move water, the impact will be felt in homes, grocery stores, dinner tables and supply chains nationwide.” While we are not yet reaching subsidence goals, “every single metric shows dramatic improvement.” Farmers are ready to “scale” the things that are working, but they can’t do it alone. “It’s time for the state – and the nation – to step up.”

Two states? Quit dreaming

Western Farm Press. Here’s your CA ‘two-state solution’: Stop wasting time. 
Synopsis: Senior editor Tim Hearden writes that we stand “a better chance of seeing peace in the Middle East than” seeing CA split into two states, as proposed by Assemblymember James Gallagher. He agrees with the Fresno Bee, calling Gallagher’s plan a “pipedream.”  That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t like to see what folks in those 35 counties could come up with in terms of policy and putting ag front-and-center. He notes that Gallagher’s plan would create a state of 10 million people, “a potent political force if they started speaking with a unified voice.”
MAD Take: Hearden wonders “if” California B could speak with a “unified voice.” I’d put the odds of that at about 10,000,000 to 1.

Will Modesto limit growth?

Modesto Bee. Modesto ballot measure proposed to establish growth limit along Kiernan.
Synopsis: Voters for Farmland are trying to get a measure on the 2028 ballot that would stop growth along Kiernan Avenue. Denny Jackman is the leader of the farm-belt choir, as he has been for years. “We will no longer wait to take action to secure the best farmland and water recharge area in Stanislaus County,” he wrote in an email. Riverbank residents are considering a similar measure to stop the city from leapfrogging onto prime farmland near McHenry. Modesto councilmember Jeremiah Williams said the decision should be left to residents. Rosa Escutia-Braaton wants to see the city’s economic development team more involved. Jackman said there is plenty of low-quality land east of Riverbank and Modesto more suitable for housing.

Judging the best BBQ & tacos

Modesto Bee. Want to meet ‘Famous Dave’? he’s judging a BBQ competition in Modesto. 
Synopsis: Famous Dave Anderson will be at the All-Star BBQ Series at Vintage Faire on Saturday as 6 pitmasters vie for a spot in the World Food Championships. “I’m America’s rib king,” said Anderson, so “I gotta be there.” There are more than 100 Famous Dave’s in the US, including one in Modesto. Anyone attending will get free samples for as long as they last. There are two teams from Turlock, and one each from Hollister, Gilroy, Morgan Hill and Citrus Heights.

Merced Sun Star. This taco truck was voted best in Merced; here’s what sets them apart.
Synopsis: Marco’s Tacos was voted the top taco among 137 entrants. The truck can often be found near the Raley’s. Hidalgos Tacos and Cortes Tacos tied for No. 2. Fresh salsa set Marco’s apart. The truck got rolling 25 years ago when Marco Granados Sr. started selling tacos in Le Grand.

Self-fertilizing wheat

Ag Alert / UC Davis. Wheat that makes its own fertilizer.
Synopsis: A new type of wheat engineered at UC Davis is throwing off its own fertilizer by enhancing a bacteria found in the soil. Using CRISPR, Prof. Eduardo Blumwald’s team at UCD developed wheat by emphasizing its naturally occurring assets. That will lead to less fertilizer, pesticide and water use and higher yields. Those in the know have a one-word response: “Wow.” Wheat is the No. 2 grain crop grown worldwide and takes the most nitrogen. This could reduce fertilizer use on 500 million acres of cereal grains, said Blumwald.

Dust a rising problem in Valley

Valley Ag Voice. Dust rises in Central Valley as farmland leaves production. 
Synopsis: Reporter Natalie Willis starts her story with a passage from John Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath.” Unfortunately, what was past is now prologue as pumping has forced the fallowing of thousands of acres. Last year, 17,000 acres were not watered in Kern County. Now, 88% of all dust events have a “human” factor.  “The impacts of dust on human health are wide-reaching, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, allergic conditions, fungal infections and even traffic accident injuries, according to the UC report.” The PPIC’s Andrew Ayers says, “We’ve still got time. Getting dust right means finding sustainable funding sources to make on-farm mitigation sustainable in the long run.”

You thought ’24 vintage was bad?

SF Chronicle. CA’s wine harvest shaping up to be even more brutal than last year. 
Synopsis: Jess Lander reports that “prized vineyards” are being pulled and vines pushed into burn piles. Growers say 100,000 tons of wine grapes will be left to rot for a second year. Stuart Spencer of the Lodi Winegrape Commission said, “This is some of the best-looking Zinfandel we’ve had in years. … But the broader market conditions are driving everything down.” The harvest fell 23% last year and could fall as much this year. Jeff Bitter of Allied Grape Growers says another 40,000 acres needs to come out to rebalance the market. Napa and Sonoma are faring better than Monterey and San Joaquin. “It feels like we’re bouncing along the bottom and waiting for some good news,” said one wine broker. Those who hoped the Trump tariffs on grape juice would increase demand for CA concentrate were disappointed.

More mountain lion attacks

Voice of Agriculture. Mountain lion attacks take toll on Lake County livestock.
Synopsis: On the heels of a story saying El Dorado County has been “overrun” by lions, we’re learning that ranchers in Lake County are reporting far higher numbers of dead cattle and sheep due to lion attacks. One shepherd called it heart-wrenching after losing 16 sheep. Other ranchers have lost 25 goats.

Bringing back the party in Merced

ABC30. UC Merced students and families feeding into downtown economy.
Synopsis: Classes are back in session at UC Merced, and downtown is hopping again.

Some sad farewells

Fresno Bee. Former politician, arts supporter and figure in Fresno’s Tower District dies.
Synopsis: Mike Briggs was elected to the Fresno City Council in 1995, but before that he was known as a “guitarist” – a title he preferred. He was elected to the Assembly in 1998 and served two terms. He died this weekend at age 66.

Turlock Journal. Iconic downtown Turlock restaurateur dies.
Synopsis: Jennifer Doerksen, who helped open Bistro 234 then First & Main with chef Leroy Walker, died Saturday. “She will forever be remembered not only for her contributions to the restaurant world, but for her kindness, generosity and unwavering friendship,” said Walker. “Nothing will be the same without her.”

Turlock Journal. Sheriff’s Dept says goodbye to K-9 officer Zero.
Synopsis: Officer Zero died Sunday following emergency surgery. The Belgian Malinois was accompanied by a law enforcement procession from the Emergency Veterinary Clinic to the Family Pet Mortuary. Deputy Mason McKinstry became Zero’s partner in January 2024. “When that dog is assigned to you, he becomes your partner. You depend on the animal. I spent more time with my K9 partner than I did with my own children,” said Sgt. Nate Crain.