Assessing Perception of Wildfires and Related Impacts among Adult Residents of Southern California
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15509831 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Shahir Masri (0000-0003-2875-4894, University of California, Irvine, corresponding author), Erica Anne Shenoi (University of California, Irvine), Dana Rose Garfin (0000-0002-0435-9307, University of California, Los Angeles), Jun Wu (0000-0002-2693-7112, University of California, Irvine, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 815-815 |
| Publication date | 2023-01-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph20010815 |
| PMID | 36613138 |
| OpenAlex | W4313471954 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 31 |
Major wildfires and their smoke pose a threat to public health and are becoming more frequent in the United States, particularly in California and other populated, fire-prone states. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how California residents view wildfires and engage in risk-reducing behaviors during wildfire events. Currently, there is a knowledge gap concerning this area of inquiry. We disseminated a 40-question cross-sectional survey to explore wildfire perception and knowledge along with related risk-reducing measures and policies among 807 adult residents in the fire-prone region of Orange County, California. Results demonstrated that nearly all (>95%) participants had (or knew someone who had) previously experienced a wildfire. Female gender, knowing a wildfire victim and reporting to have a general interest/passion for environmental issues were the three factors most strongly associated with (1) wildfires (and smoke) being reported as a threat, (2) participants' willingness to evacuate if threatened by a nearby wildfire, and (3) participants' willingness to support a wildfire-related tax increase ( p < 0.05). The majority (57.4%) of participants agreed that the occurrence of wildfires is influenced by climate change, with the most commonly reported risk-reducing actions (by 44% of participants) being informational actions (e.g., tracking the news) rather than self-motivated physical safety actions (e.g., using an air purifier) (29%). The results of this study can help to inform decision- and policy-making regarding future wildfire events as well as allow more targeted and effective public health messaging and intervention measures, in turn helping to reduce the risk associated with future wildfire/smoke episodes
Environmental health · Geography · Injury prevention · Occupational safety and health · Perception · Poison control · Suicide prevention · Disaster Management and Resilience · Fire effects on ecosystems · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Medicine · Psychology · Urban Green Space and Health · Gerontology
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Is Experience the Best Teacher? Knowledge, Perceptions, and Awareness of Wildfire Risk
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Exposures and behavioural responses to wildfire smoke
Examining the influence of biophysical conditions on wildland-urban interface homeowners' wildfire risk mitigation activities in fire-prone landscapes
| Citations per year | 1.5 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2024 - 2025 (2) |
| Highly cited | No |