Fears continue to grow among local citrus farmers. Monday marks the 6th night in a row they must endure freezing temperatures. The majority of growers still have more than 80% of their crops hanging in harms way.
David Roth with Cecelia Packing oversees 2000 acres of different citrus varieties in Orange Cove. He calls this season an unusual one, saying frost protection measures normally don't get going until mid to late December.
"It's not that it hasn't happened, but for this long a period and this drastic hard freeze, it's been a long time," said David Roth of Cecelia Packing.
Sunday night into Monday morning posed the biggest threat.
"We had some 26s and 27s for four to six hours," said Roth.
Roth farms oranges, tangerines and lemons which are worth a small fortune.
"Probably $12 to $15 million," said Roth.
To protect his crops, Roth is working to raise the temperature in his orchards. Each tree has its own individual mister.
"The water coming out of the well is approximately 68 degrees," said Roth.
On this ranch, there are more than 150 wind machines working to mix-up warm air with the cold.
"Each will cover 13 or 14 acres," said Roth.
Lemons, which are full of acid, worry roth the most. Delicate Murcott Tangerines are also at risk. Many varieties of oranges are in good shape because they have a thicker rind and are high in sugar.
"Sugar is an anti-freeze," said Roth.
Roth and all of his fellow citrus growers know that surviving this string of freezing nights literally rides on the skin of their fruit.
"It's like getting shot at and after they shoot at you 6 or 7 times they're eventually going to nick you. So far we've been able to keep the Band-Aids on," said Roth.
Farmers can't wait to make it to Wednesday. That's when the overnight lows are forecast to be in the 30s.