Weather Gives Farmers the Chance to Burn Dead Crops

Plumes of smoke rose from Ventura County fields on Thursday as farmers took advantage of the chance to rid their property of dead crops left over from last winter’s freeze.

Agricultural burns will also be allowed today, according to a recorded message by the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District.

Low clouds and fog have held farmers to only a few burns this year, and many have accumulated large piles of dried-out plants.

But they went up in smoke on Thursday, when clear skies and low humidity allowed the plumes to disperse in the atmosphere, said pollution control district meteorologist Kent Field.

“For a burn, the conditions need to be very specific,” Field said. “Because of the marine layer, we’ve had very few burns this year.”

A non-stagnant air mass and mild temperatures are prerequisites for a burn, and Field described the conditions on Thursday as very good.

Field said farmers have been anxious to burn their dead crops, which have been stored in house-size piles on their land.

The last burn day, in August, was limited to certain areas, the meterologist said.

Farmers get the one-day notice to burn by calling the district every day. Those who don’t call regularly may miss out, Field said.