Responses to Wildfire and Prescribed Fire Smoke: A Survey of a Medically Vulnerable Adult Population in the Wildland-Urban Interface, Mariposa County, California

Sumi Hoshiko; Joseph R Buckman; Caitlin G Jones; Kirstin R Yeomans; Austin Mello; Ruwan Thilakaratne; Eric Sergienko; Kristina Allen; Lisa Bello; Ana G Rappold

doi:10.3390/ijerph20021210

Responses to Wildfire and Prescribed Fire Smoke: A Survey of a Medically Vulnerable Adult Population in the Wildland-Urban Interface, Mariposa County, California

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 10;20(2):1210. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20021210.

Authors

Sumi Hoshiko¹, Joseph R Buckman^{1

2}, Caitlin G Jones¹, Kirstin R Yeomans^{1

2}, Austin Mello¹, Ruwan Thilakaratne^{1

2}, Eric Sergienko³, Kristina Allen³, Lisa Bello³, Ana G Rappold⁴

Affiliations

¹ Environmental Health Investigations Branch, Center for Healthy Communities, California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
² California Epidemiologic Investigation Service Fellowship Program (Cal-EIS), Chronic Disease Control Branch, Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, California Department of Public Health, Sacramento, CA 95834, USA.
³ Mariposa County Health and Human Services Agency, Mariposa, CA 95338, USA.
⁴ Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA.

Abstract

California plans to substantially increase the use of prescribed fire to reduce risk of catastrophic wildfires. Although for a beneficial purpose, prescribed fire smoke may still pose a health concern, especially among sensitive populations. We sought to understand community health experience, adaptive capacity, and attitudes regarding wildland and prescribed fire smoke to inform public health guidance. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of medically vulnerable persons in a rural, high fire risk county (N = 106, 76% > 65 years) regarding wildfire and prescribed smoke health effects; health protective actions; information needs; and support for fire management policies. Qualitative comments were reviewed for context and emerging themes. More than half (58%) of participants reported health impacts from wildfire smoke; 26% experienced impacts from prescribed fire smoke. Participants expressed strong support for prescribed fire, although also concerns about safety and smoke. Respondents reported taking actions to reduce smoke exposure (average 5 actions taken per person), but many (47%) lacked confidence that they could successfully protect their health. Persons who were satisfied with the information received tended to be more confident in their ability to protect their health compared to those who were not satisfied (61% vs. 35%). More information was desired on many topics, including notifications about prescribed fire, health protection and exposure reduction. As California expands use of prescribed fire, the need for effective health protective communication regarding smoke is increasingly vital. We recommend seeking solutions that strengthen community resilience and address equity for vulnerable populations.

Keywords: adaptive capacity; managed fire; prescribed burns; prescribed fire; smoke; vulnerable populations; wildfire; wildland fire; wildland-urban-interface.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Adult
California
Cross-Sectional Studies
Fires*
Humans
Smoke / adverse effects
Surveys and Questionnaires
Vulnerable Populations
Wildfires*

Substances

Smoke

Grants and funding

This project was supported by a grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CAL FIRE) Forest Health Research Program (Agreement #8GG19803, #8GG20801), as part of California Climate Investments. California Climate Investments is a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities.