No citrus damage reported due to Valley's freezing temperatures

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Valley citrus growers say their crops are doing very well after Friday night's freezing temperatures.

Bob Blakely, the vice president of California Citrus Mutual, tells Action News that some areas did drop below 28 degrees for three or four hours, which is considered a critical level. But wind machines were very effective in preventing any damage by circulating slightly warmer air in the orchards. The cooler temperatures are actually a welcome change for many citrus growers after the unusually warm winter we've had so far.

"It was really the first cold weather that we've had this year, and it's probably more of a benefit than a detriment when it comes like that," said Blakely. "We do need cold nights during the wintertime to help strengthen the fruit and extend the fruit life on the tree, which lets us harvest good quality fruit all the way into the spring."

Blakely says the cold temperatures work much like a refrigerator to keep the citrus fruit from maturing too fast. Mandarin growers start to use their wind machines if temperatures drop below 30 degrees for a few hours, and orange growers do the same when temperatures drop to 28 degrees or lower.