‘I Have To Work’: Agricultural Workers In The West Harvest Crops Through Fire Smoke

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Rows of Pinot Noir grapevines sit under a blanket of dense smoke from wildfires on Sept. 9 in Oregon’s Arlyn Vineyard.

Brett Curtis/Arlyn Vineyard

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Brett Curtis/Arlyn Vineyard

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Maricela, shown here picking grapes in southern Oregon earlier this week, says she hasn’t missed a day of work since this season’s wildfires began. She asked NPR to only use her first name because she doesn’t have work papers.

Maricela/Screenshot by NPR

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Maricela/Screenshot by NPR

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As the fires ramped up last week, «there were rumors and a lot of confusion of what was happening next, says Lopez Osuna. She said her phone was ringing constantly as workers frantically tried to figure out if they were required to come into work even as evacuation zones shifted quickly.

One factor adding to the confusion is the lack of information in Spanish and indigenous languages from Mexico and Central America such as Mam, Lopez Osuna says.

Counties were putting out emergency information on social media, she says,but a lot of the farm workers don’t have Facebook or access to the best Wi-Fi.

More broadly, Lopez Osuna is alarmed about the impact of climate change on wildfires. It’s causing them to burn more frequently and intensely. After this fire season settles, she says, «the industry needs to work on guidelines and protections for agricultural workers.

Juan shared this video of the wine grape harvest near Oregon City, OR. The nearby fires were stoked by high winds making for a dark and hazy day. When you buy wine, remember the farm workers that brought it to you. #WeFeedYou pic.twitter.com/ztxbufS8Y1

— United Farm Workers (@UFWupdates) September 11, 2020

Lopez Osuna, who is the daughter of farm workers who migrated from Mexico in the 1980s, understands that the wildfires also force employers to make difficult choices.

«There is a short timeline to pick these fruits and vegetables, she says. «It means that people and employers are having to make really tough choices.

«I couldn’t expose them

Janis Pate, owner of Arlyn Vineyard southwest of Portland, says she hasn’t allowed her crew to work since last Saturday.

«I couldn’t expose them, I just couldn’t in good conscience, Pate says, adding the smoke was just too dense on her 40 acre vineyard. She sent them home on Saturday with pay.

The former corporate risk management executive-turned-farmer says there are still about 30 tons of grapes on the vines «that may or may not ever get harvested. That’s about half of her annual crop.

«It may be just a loss, she says.

Smoke can harm grape vines. Pate says she’s testing her grapes for smoke taint. It’s possible that she could lose up to $3,500 per ton of fruit.

Her crew has gone on to another job after their work at her vineyard stopped. «I felt defeated, I thought I was protecting them, she says, but adds that she understands the calculations workers have to make.

Some workers are forced to stay home

As some agricultural workers pick crops through a blanket of smoke, others are waiting at home for a chance to work again.

«It’s frustrating, says Elia, 38, who lives in Woodburn, Ore., and asked that NPR use only her first name because she doesn’t have work documents. She usually picks blueberries and grapes, but her employer has canceled her work due to the fires.

That means the single mother of four hasn’t been able to work in a week. It’s particularly difficult timing because she lost seven weeks of work in March and April due to the pandemic.

Because of her immigration status, Elia doesn’t qualify for federal aid. She’s relied on help from organizations such as Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste, which has provided her with about $1,200 and groceries to help her through this period.

«I would be in the fields now if it were up to me, I’d be working, breathing this thick smoke because I have no choice, I have financial needs, says Elia. She was coughing as she spoke to NPR, saying the smoke burns her throat.

«I’m behind in rent and other bills will have to wait, Elia says. «You work for survival, you work for every penny.