Citrus quarantine expands in Valley Center
VALLEY CENTER, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The citrus quarantine in place in parts of northern San Diego County has been expanded by the state agriculture department.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) declared a citrus quarantine expansion in Valley Center, including parts of Pala and Pauma Valley, on March 26 after the fatal citrus tree disease Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening, was detected in two citrus trees in residential neighborhoods in Valley Center during regular inspections.
The quarantine expansion adds to the existing HLB quarantines in Fallbrook, Oceanside, Rancho Bernardo and Valley Center.
HLB is one of the most destructive citrus diseases known worldwide and is caused by bacteria, according to the CDFA and USDA. It threatens San Diego's $144 million annual citrus crop and can impact residential citrus tree owners.
State declares citrus quarantine in Fallbrook: Here's what that means
The disease causes citrus trees to grow misshapen, bitter fruit and kills infected trees within a few years. The citrus disease is fatal to trees but is not harmful to humans or animals.
In San Diego County, there are over 350 businesses that could be impacted by the quarantine expansion, including over 100 growers with 1,700 acres of commercial citrus, and three commercial nurseries, the county reports.
'Unfortunately, Huanglongbing is fatal to citrus,' said San Diego Agricultural Commissioner Ha Dang, 'Our goal is to prevent this disease from spreading. By working together, we can all protect our food supply, local agriculture, and environment from this devastating disease. Partnering with state and federal regulatory partners, we are working closely with residents and agricultural operators and ask for everyone's cooperation with the ongoing regulatory activities.'
The county says CDFA will work with residents in those areas to arrange for treatment of citrus trees as a protective measure. County officials are also notifying local citrus growers, plant nurseries and other related businesses of the quarantine expansion.
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The CDFA and San Diego Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM) will be holding public meetings on April 10 and 11 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the North Coast Church Pauma Valley.
The county offered tips for residents that live in the quarantine area:
Do not move citrus plants, leaves or foliage into or out of the quarantine area
Remove all leaves and stems and wash backyard citrus before transporting
Dry or double-bag plant clippings before disposing
Allow agricultural officials to inspect and treat trees and take samples
Residents that don't want to care for a citrus tree should consider removal
Only buy citrus trees from reputable local nurseries
View an interactive map of current citrus quarantines online here.
San Diegans with questions on moving commercial citrus and HLB quarantine regulations can contact the San Diego Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures (AWM) at 858-614-7770, email cqp.AWM@sdcounty.ca.gov, or visit www.sdcawm.org.
Californians can report sick or dying citrus trees at CDFA's toll-free Pest Hotline at 800-491-1899 or at cdfa.ca.gov/plant/acp.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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