Public information seeking, place-based risk messaging and wildfire preparedness in southern California

Abstract

Abstract. Southern California is a challenging environment for managing and adapting to wildland-urban interface fires. Previous research shows risk perception and information seeking are related and that public information dissemination influences locally specific risk perception and preparedness actions. Here, we examine relationships between residents' wildfire knowledge and experience, readiness actions and media choice to determine how to integrate preparedness information and the recently developed Santa Ana Wildfire Threat Index into public information. Based on frequencies, means tests and correlations, we find television most frequently used for both daily news and wildfire information and that most people intend to seek information from the same sources in future fires. Wildfire knowledge, experience and past preparedness actions influence the number of sources from which respondents report seeking information. We note significant geographic differences in information sources used before and during wildfire, with higher percentages of residents in more rural areas relying on television, radio, Reverse 911, and friends and family for information during a wildfire. Findings support previous research results indicating sources considered trustworthy are not always considered the most up-to-date. Our findings support other empirical research recommending a multimedia, twoway communication model for event-based and readiness information supplemented with one-way sources like television.

The 2017 North Bay and Southern California Fires: A Case Study

“…Other preparative or reactionary measures could have helped reduce some of the impacts these fires had on losses including reverse evacuation calls [65], improved public communication [65,66], and better zoning and building codes to withstand spotting embers [67]. Most of the deaths and structures destroyed from these two events occurred in the North Bay, demonstrating the devastating effects of large, fast-moving wildfires moving into urban areas.…”

The 2017 North Bay and Southern California Fires: A Case Study

“…The NWS should continue improving its fire weather program and decision support services to better communicate the risks and impacts associated with its forecasts. Other preparative or reactionary measures could have helped reduce some of the impacts these fires had on losses including reverse evacuation calls [50], improved public communication [50,51], and better zoning and building codes to withstand spotting embers [52].…”

Public Risk Perception Attitude and Information-Seeking Efficacy on Floods: A Formative Study for Disaster Preparation Campaigns and Policies

“…Information-seeking efficacy determines how well an individual can secure information regarding assistance before, during, and after a disaster. Investigation of information-seeking efficacy at the public level is important because the population's informationseeking efficacy is a crucial factor in designing effective disaster preparation and risk management plans (Pipes n.d.;Spence et al 2015;Velez et al 2017). The present study focuses on information-seeking efficacy because seeking accurate and reliable information is also the public's first step in both preparing for and recovering from a disaster.…”