Weather Delays Crop Fumigation

Hot, muggy weather has postponed the methyl bromide fumigation of a 90-acre Camarillo strawberry field that had been scheduled for Tuesday.

Earl McPhail, Ventura County’s agricultural commissioner, told the state Department of Pesticide Regulation that an inversion layer has temporarily halted the application, and that he will allow the fumigation to occur once the weather changes.

Residents of the Lamplighter mobile home park have objected to the fumigation of the field adjacent to their homes because of potential health risks. Last summer, residents next to a 30-acre Ventura strawberry field complained of burning eyes, nausea, headaches and weakness after the area was fumigated.

But James Wells, director of the state Department of Pesticide Regulation, last week upheld the Ventura County agricultural commissioner’s permission to proceed because the planned application was in compliance with all regulations and laws.

Lamplighter residents protested on Los Posas Road late Tuesday afternoon, warning those driving past that the field will soon be fumigated.

“They keep telling us that they’re going to do everything as safely as possible,” said Vicky Corey, president of the park’s homeowners’ association. “But if it’s so safe, I’d like to see James Wells, Earl McPhail and the grower to come stay at the park.

“That’s one way they could prove to me that it’s safe. I have a spare bedroom and would be more than willing to let any one of them use it.”

The state’s pesticide regulators will be on hand to monitor the air once the pesticide has been applied to determine whether there are any health risks. Camarillo is the regulators’ first stop in a six-month monitoring program that will take them throughout California.