Extreme heat roasts Christmas tree crops in Oregon

[Rob Thompson]

Extreme heat roasts Christmas tree crops in Oregon

Source - Reuters

By - 28-07-2021

Date - Deborah Bloom

The destruction wrought by the extreme heat and wildfires raging across Oregon this summer includes all kinds of farms - including one that grows trees for the Christmas season.

Jacob Hemphill, owner of Hemphill Tree Farm, estimates that he has lost over $100,000 worth of Christmas trees as a result of the recent "heat dome" event, which saw temperatures of 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46.1 °C) in some parts of the Portland metropolitan area.

 

"The second day of the heat, it was 116. I came in the driveway that night and seen the trees were basically cooking. Burnt down to nothing," Hemphill recounted of the heat damage to his saplings.

The losses will take a toll on his family this year, he said. But he has hope things will improve next year.

"I mean, you just kind of got to roll with the punches, and replant next year... and hopefully make up for the loss that we're gonna have in the future."

Beyond Christmas trees, Reuters spoke to several farmers across the Willamette Valley who said the heat wave, coinciding with a statewide drought, has caused unprecedented levels of damage to their crops.

The Bootleg Fire burns through vegetation near Paisley, Oregon, U.S., July 20, 2021. REUTERS/David Ryder
The so-called Bootleg fire about 250 miles south of Portland has blackened just shy of 400,000 acres (over 160,000 hectares) of desiccated brush and timber in and around the Fremont-Winema National Forest since erupting in early July. That makes it Oregon's third-largest wildfire on record, dating back to 1900.

It's also the largest of roughly 80 major, active blazes reported in 13 Western states.

At least 67 homes have been destroyed and another 3,400 were listed as threatened by the Bootleg fire, with an estimated 2,100 people under orders to evacuate or be ready to flee at a moment's notice.

The blaze was ignited by lightning and has been stoked by hot, gusty, dry weather. But firefighters have taken advantage of calmer winds, and cooler, moister conditions over the past few days to extend and bolster containment lines around the fire's periphery.

At last report, containment stood at 38%, up from just 7% a week ago.

Scientists have said the growing frequency and intensity of wildfires are largely attributable to prolonged drought and increasing bouts of excessive heat that are symptomatic of climate change.

[Rob Thompson]

This is dreadful news Im sure this wont be the only farmer affected by the heatwave over there, I wonder how Canada are managing too.  

[Black Hills Santa]

The tree farms in North Dakota are about gone this year. While those of us in parts of South Dakota have managed to keep somewhat moist they are baking up there. Montana is ablaze as well. What are you going to do? Life happens. It'll be tough on the groups who sell those trees. But, there are artificial ones. Bring back the aluminum tree, perhaps? Just kidding

[Rob Thompson]

1 hour ago, Black Hills Santa said:

The tree farms in North Dakota are about gone this year. While those of us in parts of South Dakota have managed to keep somewhat moist they are baking up there. Montana is ablaze as well. What are you going to do? Life happens. It'll be tough on the groups who sell those trees. But, there are artificial ones. Bring back the aluminum tree, perhaps? Just kidding

Aluminum tree? Is that the tinsel branch type tree? If so, they are still used a lot over hear  

[Jerry Nebel]

Many of the evergreen trees here in Washington have burned brown on the ends. Here in Western Washington where I live we have not had rain for something like 60 days! Unheard of around these parts. We just now are getting thru the 2nd heat wave with temps of 100+. Smoke in the air from forest fires so thick you at times can't see further than a couple miles. Eye's burn, nose runs, smell of smoke 24/7. 

 

[Santa Craig Maxwell]

20 minutes ago, Jerry Nebel said:

we have not had rain for something like 60 days!

A few days of rain would sure help put out fires, and clear the air for you guys.  I hope you get relief real soon. 

[Rob Thompson]

41 minutes ago, Jerry Nebel said:

Many of the evergreen trees here in Washington have burned brown on the ends. Here in Western Washington where I live we have not had rain for something like 60 days! Unheard of around these parts. We just now are getting thru the 2nd heat wave with temps of 100+. Smoke in the air from forest fires so thick you at times can't see further than a couple miles. Eye's burn, nose runs, smell of smoke 24/7. 

 

Ive been reading about it Jerry, its a simlar picture in many parts of Europe at the moment, Really scary stuff and serious devastation.

I hope it ends soon for you folk.

Stay safe