Central OC Times

A recent study led by the University of California, Irvine's Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health emphasizes the need for enhanced wildfire preparedness in disadvantaged communities within the Eastern Coachella Valley. The research, published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, highlights effective strategies to address communication gaps in these areas.

The study found that residents in geographically isolated regions could benefit from increased community-level social interactions to improve their awareness of wildfire risks. "Residents in ECV face unique challenges, from linguistic barriers to marginal government support," said Jun Wu, a UC Irvine professor and corresponding author of the study. Wu stressed the importance of fostering community ties and collaborating with emergency services through multilingual and culturally sensitive education campaigns.

Between February and April 2023, researchers surveyed 115 individuals across four unincorporated communities who had experienced wildfires. Nearly all participants identified as Hispanic/Latino, with 60 percent reporting annual household incomes below $25,000.

The research revealed varied communication preferences among different demographic groups. While short text messages and TV were favored by all groups, younger adults preferred social media. Older adults and those with limited education relied on doctors for information, whereas agricultural workers depended on text messages and personal observations.

Community initiatives using messaging apps for sharing emergency alerts proved effective in strengthening local networks. Researchers recommend partnerships between county governments and communities to enhance resilience and empower citizens against wildfires. Suggestions include training residents as first responders, forming Neighborhood Watch groups, conducting Spanish-language programs, and distributing easy-to-understand guides on risk management.

"For regions like ECV where wildfires are a recurring threat, fostering collaboration between emergency services and the community is essential," said Anqi Jiao, lead author and UC Irvine Ph.D. candidate.

The research team included members from UC Irvine’s Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health and School of Medicine alongside Mississippi State University faculty and a lead organizer from Communities for a New California Education Fund.

This study was funded by the California Air Resources Board under grant CARB; #21RD003.

UC Irvine continues its Brilliant Future campaign aimed at raising awareness and support through philanthropic investment to achieve excellence in various fields including student success and health research.