The University of California, Davis and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) are teaming up to provide more smoke testing options for agriculture. The overwhelming number of wildfires …
Smoke Exposure: ‘Get Out of Jail Free Card’ for Winegrape Buyers
Another year of catastrophic wildfires in California is once again raising concern about smoke exposure in winegrapes. President and CEO of Allied Grape Growers, PowerPoint Presentation Jeff Bitter said there …
Fresno County Grape Growers Press On Amidst Smokey Conditions
Fresno County grape growers are doing their best to work through the challenges created by the various wildfires. The multiple wildfires burning up and down California are leavening a significant …
Industry Groups Seek Temporary Relief from Smoke Regulation
A diverse coalition of industry groups is seeking immediate relief for some of the provisions of the wildfire smoke regulation. In a letter addressed to Governor Gavin Newsom, the signatories …
Smoke Exposure Testing Limitations Could Be Devastating for Winegrapes
Another fire season in California has resulted in another series of challenges for winegrape growers as it relates to smoke exposure. Over a million acres have been burned in recent …
Pandemic Safety Measures Helped Prepare Operations for Fire Season
Some of the pandemic safety measures that have been adopted over the course of the past five months have helped prepare some agricultural operations for the current fire season. The …
Permanent Wildfire Smoke Standard Moving Forward Despite Industry Concerns
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is continuing to advance a permanent wildfire smoke standard. A temporary rule has been in effect since July of last year …
Smoke Exposure Research in Grapes Begins Taking Shape
Support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service will allow important smoke exposure research to move forward to better understand the effect that smoke has on grapes. Industry …
Permanent Smoke Regulation Imminent as Timeline Shortens
A permanent smoke regulation from the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is moving forward and industry members have until May 21 to provide comments. The Cal/OSHA Standards Board …
Preparing Now for Wildfire Smoke Rules
With fire season on the horizon, employers should make preparations now to be in compliance with wildfire smoke regulations. Director of Employment Policy for the California Farm Bureau Federation and COO …
Study Better Understands Smoke Damage in Vineyards
UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) researchers have been closely examining smoke damage in vineyards, following the significant wildfires in Northern California in recent years. A new study on the issue highlights …
New Smoke Exposure Regulation Arriving at Height of Fire Season
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) Standards Board has unanimously approved new regulations pertaining to wildfires and smoke exposure. The decision comes after an emergency rulemaking proposal was …
Emergency Process Pushing New Air Quality Standard for Wildfire Smoke
A new air quality standard that addresses wildfire smoke which contains high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is moving quickly. A petition that was filed at the end of …
Petition for New Air Quality Standards Related to Wildfire Smoke
A recently submitted petition addressing air quality standards related to wildfires is currently working its way through the administrative process. The Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board will have six …