Graduation Date

Fall 2022

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Master of Science degree with a major in Environmental Systems, option Energy, Technology, and Policy

Committee Chair Name

Peter Alstone

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Second Committee Member Name

Deepti Chatti

Second Committee Member Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Third Committee Member Name

Nicholas Lam

Third Committee Member Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Wildfires, Smoke exposure, Air quality, Poor air quality, Climate, Small community, Concerns, Risks, Mitigation measures, San Diego County, Southern California

Subject Categories

Environmental Systems

Abstract

This study focuses on a community’s interest and knowledge on air quality mitigation measures in regard to smoke exposure from wildfires. A combination of semi-structured in person interviews and online surveys were available for those individuals that lived or worked in Ramona, California. The residents in Ramona had varying knowledge, concern levels and responses when discussing air quality mitigation measures with regards to wildfire smoke effects and impacts. Wildfire smoke itself was not a major concern of most residents within the area and many had described wildfire smoke mitigation measures as being conditional measures not applicable to the entire community but specific towards those individuals sensitive to poor air quality in the community. Many individuals felt underinformed or had misinterpreted messages from state agencies regarding the effects of wildfire smoke exposure on human health. Given the limited familiarity with wildfire smoke exposure effects within the community more promotion of wildfire smoke exposure effects and air quality resources available to the public should occur. The messaging that is promoted by state and federal agencies should also be clarified to not send mixed messaging to community members.

Citation Style

APA

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