ORANGE, CA - Fifty miles north of my home, four key fires amid several have spread across Los Angeles County. With Santa Ana winds howling from 35–45 miles per hour, gusts up to 75 miles per hour, we living here watch them blow knowing that, until the weather calms, firefighters are facing a Herculean task to rescue people living in areas many in our industry call home.

Fire crews are currently fighting the wildfires listed below, where corresponding impact areas have been issued evacuation orders and warnings:

• Palisades Fire
• Eaton Fire
• Hurst Fire
• Sunset Fire

Together, the number of acres burned stands at 27,876 and counting, the largest being the Palisades Fire, which firefighters said has 30,000 people under mandatory and immediate evacuation orders. A detailed breakdown of each fire’s acreage, evacuation details, and more can be found in this latest report by Fox News. 

Thankfully, no ag acres have been reported as of this morning as directly in the line of any fires, but I have connected with friends in the industry whose lives have been affected. Having to pick up what you own and leave, hoping that your neighborhood will be there when you are able to return, is a heartache many are enduring while still ensuring the produce wheels keep moving from field, to office, to transportation, to retail and restaurant.

Please keep them in your thoughts as we continue to report.