Public health researchers are drawing attention to the combined effects of frequent wildfires and smoke exposure on both physical and mental well-being, as well as on local economies and community resilience in Southern California.
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine have released a study in the journal Environmental Research Health that examines how frequent wildfires and smoke exposure negatively impact physical and mental health, local economies, and community resilience in Southern California.
By conducting in-depth focus groups and surveys in four impacted areas—Thermal, Mecca, Oasis, and North Shore—located in the eastern Coachella Valley, the research provides an in-depth understanding of the toll these disasters impose on the residents. Suellen Hopfer, the study’s lead author and an associate professor of health, society, and behavior at UC Irvine’s Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health, emphasizes the significance of this work.
The eastern Coachella Valley, situated in Riverside County, features a desert environment that is grappling with invasive grasslands and extreme heat, leading to frequent wildfires. The area is home to a significant Hispanic American community, with about 92 percent of the population having origins in Latino countries, primarily Mexico. Agriculture and construction are the key industries and major sources of employment in this region.
Between February and April 2023, Hopfer and her team gathered and examined 118 personal accounts from valley residents about their experiences with evacuations, health issues, and interruptions to daily life due to fires and smoke. Their research is one of the few to shed light on how low-income and marginalized communities can respond to and protect themselves from wildfire threats, while also showcasing the resilience of these individuals.
Residents recounted their struggles with health issues resulting from wildfire smoke, including breathing difficulties, sinus issues, and eye problems, especially among children, the elderly, and those with existing health conditions. Mental health challenges were just as significant.
The constant presence of smoke and extreme heat, children being unable to play outside, and adults working in harsh conditions contribute to ongoing psychological stress, anxiety, and fear. These mental pressures are worsened by the ever-present threat of severe wildfires.
“This report is possible because of the families and community members in eastern Coachella Valley who shared their experiences with wildfires and its impacts with our research team,” stated Hopfer, who also has a role in pediatrics. “Thanks to our partnership between the community and academia, our findings can offer crucial insights for policymakers, emergency responders, and public health officials who are looking to build better support systems for the most vulnerable populations in ECV.”
Hopfer also highlighted the immediate need for enhanced emergency preparedness and accessible resources. Residents expressed the need for better communication, affordable waste management services to mitigate fire hazards, and fire prevention education in Spanish. The study further emphasizes the vital role of community cooperation in reducing wildfire risks, with neighbors playing essential roles in warning and helping each other during emergencies.
Other contributors to the research included UC Irvine doctoral students Anqi Jiao and Mengyi Li, Jun Wu, a professor of environmental and occupational health from the Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health, and Anna Lisa Vargas from Communities for a New California Education Fund.
This research was funded by a grant from the California Air Resources Board.
