California wildfires threaten growers

Fires in Southern California threatened the state’s nursery industry, the Los Angeles Times reported. Wildfires passed through agricultural areas in San Diego, and officials worried that the county's avocados, citrus, nursery stock, flower crops and vineyards suffered damage.

San Diego produces about $1.4 billion of crops annually, including nearly $1 billion of flowers, trees, shrubs and bedding plants, as well as more than $100 million of avocados. On Wednesday, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for Bonsall, Calif., home of EuroAmerican Propagators -- the largest supplier of Proven Winners liners and 4-inch finished plants.

Ron Vanderhoff, nursery manager for Roger’s Gardens, a retailer in Corona del Mar, Calif., said his store has escaped damage so far. Wholesale grower El Modeno Gardens in Irvine, Calif., lost several outbuildings to the fire, the local ABC affiliate reported.

-- Sarah