Skip to content
Help support CapRadio’s local public service mission 
and enrich the lives in your community.
Support local nonprofit public media.
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

Marijuana Grows Destroyed By California Wildfires — But It’s Unclear How Many

  •  Nadine Sebai 
Wednesday, August 8, 2018 | Sacramento, CA
AP Photo / Noah Berger

A firefighter runs while trying to save a home as a wildfire tears through Lakeport, Calif. on Tuesday, July 31, 2018.

AP Photo / Noah Berger

In 2017, Zach’s marijuana farm was destroyed during the Redwood Complex Fire near Mendocino.

“Last year was just tragic on so many levels,” Zach recalled.

And now this year, the Mendocino Complex Fire destroyed his home in early August.

Zach — who moved to California four years ago and whose last name we are withholding — says his new cannabis farm remains intact for now. But all the wildfires are taking a toll on him. He says if his farm burns down this fire season, he doesn’t think he’ll stay in the industry.

“It’s brought a lot of questions about whether or not I even want to live here anymore,” Zach said. “It’s tough because as a community we’ve gone through a lot of trauma together.”

The Mendocino Complex Fire, consisting of the Ranch and River fires and that has now burned more acreage than any blaze in California history, lies a couple miles east of Highway 101 near the town of Hopland, where a strip of cannabis farmers grow their crop.

There are an estimated 10,000 marijuana growers in Mendocino County. But it’s unclear how many farms have been affected by the Complex fire because that information isn’t tracked by Cal Fire.

Hezekiah Allen, executive director of the California Growers Association, says information about affected farms may start coming in once the evacuation orders are lifted. He added that, today, the industry is more knowledgeable about how cannabis is affected by wildfires.

“Last year we learned cannabis is very resilient to fires,” Allen said. 

In fact, he explained that plants growing close to the flames were often unharmed, and that cannabis sometimes served as a “fuel break” that slowed down or even stopped fires.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  
Was this story useful?
yes
no

Will you help us improve our fires coverage? Head to our wildfire survey page to tell us what you think.

    More about wildfire

  • Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

    California Wildfires: Latest Updates

    CapRadio provides the latest information and updates on wildfires hitting the state, and resources for listeners to help prepare, follow and respond to fire.

 marijuanawildfire

Nadine Sebai

Former Temporary State Government Reporter

Nadine Sebai was Capital Public Radio’s temporary state government reporter. Nadine is also a co-editor of Local Matters, a weekly newsletter showcasing investigative and watchdog news stories from local publications across the country.  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File

California’s Covid misinformation law is entangled in lawsuits, conflicting rulings

March 19, 2023

Louis Bryant III / Sacramento Observer

Black community members discuss Sacramento schools’ approach to race-related incidents

March 23, 2023

Maddie McGarvey for NPR

Medicaid renewals are starting. Those who don't reenroll could get kicked off

March 21, 2023

Most Viewed

California could be the first state in the country to ban some much debated food additives

California coronavirus updates: Second round of Sacramento’s universal basic income program funded in part through COVID-19 relief budget

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

Proposed bill would overhaul referendum petition process in California

California coronavirus updates: Medicaid enrollees may start getting removed from program as pandemic-era rules expire

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

California could be the first state in the country to ban some much debated food additives

California coronavirus updates: Second round of Sacramento’s universal basic income program funded in part through COVID-19 relief budget

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

Proposed bill would overhaul referendum petition process in California

California coronavirus updates: Medicaid enrollees may start getting removed from program as pandemic-era rules expire

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a Tip / Story Idea
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.