Assessing Perception of Wildfires and Related Impacts among Adult Residents of Southern California.

ABSTRACT: 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 rep

SUBMITTER: Masri S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9820212 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature