State Begins Aerial Spraying of Malathion Over Section of Camarillo
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CAMARILLO — State officials began aerial spraying of malathion over a 16-square-mile area of Camarillo Wednesday night to combat the state’s newest Medfly infestation, the first time such spraying has been ordered since a similar outbreak in Riverside County in February.
With a light west wind behind them, three helicopters and an observation craft formed a low straight line over the Camarillo Airport before heading north and east to begin dropping a combination of the pesticide mixed with corn syrup over an area populated by 32,400 people.
“These are perfect spraying conditions,” said a spokeswoman with the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Two state police officers stood by as a dozen protesters watched from behind an airport fence. Among them were Terri Gaishia and her 13-year-old son, Ryan, who stood silently as the helicopters took off.
“We are here to make a point,” she said. “I find this a gross violation of our rights. They make this decision without consulting anybody.”
The spraying began less than two weeks after inspectors discovered the first Mediterranean fruit flies in an orchard in eastern Camarillo.
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