Heat tests area crops

GRANGER, Wash. – Temperatures have been in the triple digits in central Washington, and that means growers have to fight to save their crops from the heat.

Apple and hops growers in the Yakima Valley are spraying water on their crops to try to avoid heat damage. The National Weather Service says highs above 100 are expected through Monday, and that has growers worried.

Carpenter Farms owner Tom Carpenter, of Granger, said warm weather is normally good for growing, but extreme heat is stressful on the plants.