San Bernardino

Dear Colleagues, There are 19 wildfires threatening communities all over the state and causing concern for our friends and colleagues. We've been in touch with our colleagues in the fire zones and everyone is safe and, as far as we know, no ANR members have lost homes.

California's Wildfires Are Spreading Faster and Burning More This Year. Experts Say It 'Can Only Get Worse' (TIME) Jennifer Calfas, July 31 Rising temperatures aren't the only reason fires have grown in size and aggression, though scientists are quick not to place blame entirely on climate change.

Pickling season is here. If you don't have any in a garden you can harvest, check at your local grocery or Farmers' Market for pickling cucumbers and pickle away. Pickles are pretty easy to do, but the fresh refrigerator pickles, well you could have your children make them with a little supervising.

Just a reminder for the Flavors of Fall Class in about 2 weeks!...

With all the fire activity and displaced personnel last fall, I would never have guessed we would already be back in that same place. But with the Carr fire and now the River fire, Shasta, Mendocino, and Lake County UCCE offices have had to close and personnel evacuated.

Dear Colleagues, There are several large fires threatening communities all over the state and causing concern. I want you to know we've been in touch with our colleagues in the fire zones and everyone is safe. Here's an update from the affected areas.

Cuando las temperaturas suben intensamente, como sucedi hace unas semanas en el Sur de California, las plantas, especialmente las que no son de la regin, son la primeras en sufrir los estragos de los candentes rayos del sol.

When unusually hot weather is in the forecast, it's time irrigate, shade and mulch plants to protect your plants, reported Sandra Barrera in the Los Angeles Daily News. The story was prompted by a heat spike in Southern California recently, when temperatures soared above 110 degrees in many areas.

This summer remember that fruits are easy to freeze. Many you don't need to blanch or do much to other than wash, dry and perhaps add sugar to (for the best product). Local small berries, if you grow them, are probably past picking, but they are still available in markets.

I just returned from a 10-day camping vacation. It seems whenever I am away the temperature reaches triple digits. This year proved no different, except wondering how our recently planted citrus and avocado grove on the very exposed south side of the house endured.