Vineyards escape worst in record California wildfires
California has suffered the largest wildfire in the state’s history, with the Mendocino Complex fires in Colusa, Lake and Mendocino counties combining to tear through a total area of almost 150,000ha, destroying nearly 150 homes by 16 August.
Despite the damage, and the death of one firefighter, the fire has burned mostly through forest and wildlands. Mendocino Winegrowers reported that the blazes in their area quickly moved east, keeping Mendocino County vineyards and wineries out of the fire’s path. The smoke, too, cleared in a matter of days.
Lake County vineyard owner Andy Beckstoffer said: ‘ We think the probability of smoke damage [to the fruit] is very slight from what we know, but we are testing.’