Responses to wildfire and prescribed fire smoke: A survey of a medically vulnerable adult population in the wildland-urban interface, Mariposa County, California

Objectives: 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. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of medically vulnerable persons in a rural, high fire risk county, Mariposa, California (N=106, 76% >65 years) regarding health effects from wildfire and prescribed fire smoke; health protective actions; information needs; and support for fire management policies. Qualitative comments were reviewed for context and emerging themes. Results:  More than half (58%) of participants reported health impacts from wildfire smoke and 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/person), but many (47%) lacked confidence that they could successfully protect their health. More information was desired on many topics, including notifications about prescribed fires, health protection, and exposure reduction. Persons who were satisfied with the information they were receiving tended to be more confident in their ability to protect their health (61% vs. 35%). Conclusions: As California expands use of prescribed fire to combat wildfires, the need for effective health protective communications regarding smoke is increasingly vital to protect public health. We recommend seeking solutions that strengthen community resilience and address equity for vulnerable populations.

Impact/Purpose

Driven by a drier, hotter climate and historic land management practices, California has witnessed an exponential increase in wildfires, with 8 of 10 largest fires occurring since 2017.1 Wildfire smoke has degraded air quality for millions of persons across the state, emerging as a significant public health concern.2-3 Recognizing this existential threat, the State of California is endeavoring to greatly increase the use of beneficial fire to as much as 400,000 acres annually by 2025.4-6 Currently, around 80,000 acres are reported as treated with prescribed fire annually.7 Beyond the goal of preventing high intensity wildfires, the uses of prescribed fire – intentionally ignited fires for beneficial purposes – include ecological goals such as watershed and vegetation management and wildlife habitat improvement.4 Reintroduction of prescribed fire is aimed at restoring resilience to California’s fire-dependent natural lands following a century of fire suppression policies. Prescribed fires are purposefully planned to limit the impact on air quality as measured by fine particulate matter, PM2.5.8-10 Yet, questions remain about potential health impacts, especially as effects continue to be recognized at lower exposures, particularly among sensitive subpopulations.11 Increased migration into the wildland-urban interface (WUI) amplifies these concerns. Although previous research has found general public acceptance for prescribed burning, recent extreme wildfire seasons may have impacted public opinion, and very few studies have investigated public health impacts of prescribed fire smoke.12-17 The goal of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of what vulnerable communities in the WUI experience regarding wildfire and prescribed fire smoke, including health effects, residents’ capacity to protect their health, attitudes towards prescribed fire and wildfire, and factors influencing adaptive capacity and attitudes. Our survey targeted medically vulnerable adults residing in high fire risk areas of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains.

Citation

Rappold, A., S. Hoshiko, J. Buckman, C. Jones, K. Yeomans, A. Mello, R. Thilakaratne, E. Sergienko, MD, K. Allen, AND L. Bello. Responses to wildfire and prescribed fire smoke: A survey of a medically vulnerable adult population in the wildland-urban interface, Mariposa County, California. Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, SWITZERLAND, 20(2):1210, (2023). [DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021210]

DOI: Responses to wildfire and prescribed fire smoke: A survey of a medically vulnerable adult population in the wildland-urban interface, Mariposa County, California