Prepare for risks as temperatures heat up

{Sponsored} California’s recent five-year long battle with drought has been over for a few months now, and there are surely lessons the horticulture industry as a whole can take away. California State Governor Jerry Brown issued a drought state of emergency on Jan. 17, 2014. Then this year, on April 17, Gov. Brown signed an executive order lifting the drought emergency in all but four California counties.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) analyzed the impact of the California drought in 2016. Region-wide effects which include sectors supporting agriculture faced gross revenue losses and households lost income of an estimated $603 million and 4,700 jobs statewide, according to the UC Davis report.

The latest National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center seasonal drought outlook, for May 18 through Aug. 31, shows drought in areas of southern and Central Coastal California likely to persist throughout those dates.

Integrating water resource management into your business strategy is essential in mitigating the impact of drought conditions. Analyze your water use and compare to the water scheduling needs of your crop. Add irrigation capabilities to your operation if you don’t have them already.

Droughts, particularly those caused by lack of precipitation, can lead to heatwaves and wildfires in any region of the U.S. Landscape design can play a role in protecting you and your business in wildfire-prone areas. Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension recommends creating a defensible space around your business for proper fire protection.

If your business is located near woodlands, MSU Extension suggests creating a minimum of a 30-foot safety buffer zone between you and the adjacent forest. Here’s how you can reduce the types of flammable materials in this area.

Perform routine maintenance around your facility to look for and remove dead vegetation from shrubs and young trees. Thick areas of vegetation are highly susceptible to fire.

Consider substituting pine needles, bark and wood chips with concrete, brick or stone for landscape or building materials.

Incorporate fire breaks, areas cleared of flammable materials, to help extinguish grass fires. The width of the fire breaks depends on the estimated height of the flames of the adjoining vegetation, according to MSU Extension. Driveways, sidewalks, pond, irrigated lawns and wet ditches are all considered effective fire breaks.

Regularly remove debris and other potential fire hazards from roofs to protect from wind borne fire embers. The use of Class-A asphalt shingles, slate/clay tile, metal or concrete products are suggested for roof construction. Cement, plaster, stucco and masonry are materials that can resist flames and heat.

Remember to make sure emergency vehicles can quickly get through to your property. Access routes should be at least 12 feet wide and cleared up to 15 feet high.

Contact a Hortica agent to learn how you can protect yourself from weather-related losses, or visit www.hortica.com.

Hortica® property and casualty coverages are underwritten, and loss control services are provided, by Florists’ Mutual Insurance Company and Florists’ Insurance Company, members of the Sentry Insurance Group. For more information, visit hortica.com. Policies, coverages, benefits and discounts are not available in all states. See policy for complete coverage details.
77-41D                                                                                                         24001968 6/21/17