Disaster Information

**NEW** LILAC FIRE Damage Assessment and Resources

The Lilac Fire has burned over 80 acres in North County San Diego. Although no state of emergency has been proclaimed in San Diego, we understand that local agricultural operations may have suffered loss. Please report agricultural damage using this Lilac Fire Damage Assessment Form.

• Updates on Lilac Fire area and containment  
• FSA Emergency Loans
• CDFA Fire Recovery

Flood Recovery Resources from California Department of Food and Agriculture

Heavy rainfall in early 2023 caused floodwater challenges for many in California’s agriculture community, and CDFA is offering a web page featuring relief and support resources from state and federal partners.

AWM and CDFA will continue to monitor the range of resources available and will update the webpage.

Links from FDA and University of California on how to maintain Food Safety during a Flood:

• US FDA: Safety of Food and Animal Food Crops Affected by Hurricanes, Flooding, and Power Outages
• University of California: 
  • UC Food Safety: Food Safety After a Disaster
  • UC Small Farm Food Safety: Produce Safety and Flood Resources
  • UC Small Farm Food Safety: Potential Biological Hazards Associated with Use of Contaminated Agricultural Water

Agricultural Damage Reporting Due to Winter Storm Events

Governor Newsom recently proclaimed a state of emergency throughout California for both recent and upcoming winter storms and recently requested Presidential Emergency Declaration for ongoing winter storm event impacts. The request was approved by President Biden.

The County of San Diego was not included as an eligible county in this approval, but in the past supplemental requests have been made to add specific counties if they experience impacts that would warrant federal support.

January Storm Reports:
If you have experienced any potential impacts to your agricultural operation due to the rain events in January, please fill out the  January Agricultural Damage Assessment form.

February Storm Reports:

If you experienced any impacts to your agricultural operation due to the rain events in early February, please fill out the  February 01-19 Agricultural Damage Assessment form.

If you experienced any impacts to your agricultural operation due to the rain events in late February, please fill out the  February 20-26 Agricultural Damage Assessment form.

The form can be returned to any AWM office or emailed to sdcawm@sdcounty.ca.gov. AWM Office locations are at:

• 9325 Hazard Way, Ste. 100, San Diego, CA 92123
• 151 E. Carmel St., San Marcos, CA 92078

These forms will be compiled to report impacts and determine eligibility for federal and state support.

References Related to Flooding and Livestock Available from UC Davis

As California faces another round of severe rainfall and flooding, the University of California-Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine (UCD-SVM) has four references available for free download. Each document supplies specific information for livestock owners who are preparing for, responding to and recovering from flooding.

• Flooding and Equine Owners
• Flooding and Livestock Owners
• California Dairies: Coping with Flooding and Evacuation
• Checklist for Emergency Flood Evacuation of a Dairy
• Sandbags Available for Upcoming Storms | News | San Diego County News Center
• Flooding (readysandiego.org)

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Detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been detected in wild birds in California. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is the lead agency on this matter, and has a dedicated HPAI webpage with additional information: CDFA - AHFSS - AHB - Avian Influenza (ca.gov)

The greatest risk of HPAI is for commercial and non-commercial poultry farmers/owners having their flocks infected with the bird flu and impacting bird health and possible death.

Report any unusual or suspicious sick or dead domestic, pet, or collection birds immediately via the CDFA Sick Bird Hotline at (866) 922-2473.

Report any unusual or suspicious wild bird deaths to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) online at wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Laboratories/Wildlife-Health/Monitoring/Mortality-Report. If you have questions about wildlife rehabilitation, please contact the CDFW directly.

More information can be found in the following documents:

Informational Flyer

Avian Influenza Flyer

Map of California County Detections

Poultry Product Permit Requirements