Grantee Research Project Results
2023 Progress Report: Center for Wildfire Smoke Research at University of Oregon
EPA Grant Number: EM840540Title: Center for Wildfire Smoke Research at University of Oregon
Investigators: Huber-Stearns, Heidi , Coughlan, Michael , Smith, Hollie
Current Investigators: Huber-Stearns, Heidi , Smith, Hollie , Coughlan, Michael
Institution: University of Oregon
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2026 (Extended to March 31, 2027)
Project Period Covered by this Report: April 1, 2023 through March 31,2024
Project Amount: $800,000
RFA: Congressionally Directed Spending (2022)
Research Category: Air , Wildfires
Objective:
Linking research and practice to support community and household adaptation to living with wildfire smoke.Linking research and practice to support community and household adaptation to living with wildfire smoke.
Progress Summary:
- Planning document content analysis and interviews: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (Oregon DEQ) in consultation with Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) designates communities as a Smoke Sensitive Receptor Area (SSRA). Through our research, we are identifying community-level strategies for preparing and responding to wildfire smoke of all SSRA communities, excluding Portland Metro, that also have an Oregon DEQ-funded Smoke Community Response Plan (Smoke CRP). We have completed document analysis and are currently analyzing results from interviews. Results expected by fall 2024.
- Air quality & smoke communicator interviews: Through qualitative interviews, we are improving understanding of the experiences of smoke communicators, particularly those focused on Oregon communities, who are engaged in the creation and dissemination of smoke messages. We are currently interviewing smoke communicators and will begin analysis in summer 2024.
- After action review: By supporting collective, shared learning in communities experiencing smoke events, we are evaluating the effectiveness of smoke preparation and response to identify lessons learned and needed additional preparation, capabilities, and organizational networks. Currently in 2024, we are focusing on the West Bend Prescribed Fire Pilot Project.
Future Activities:
- Statewide survey: In fall 2024, we will develop an internet-based representative survey of Oregon residents’ concerns about, responses to, and communication needs surrounding wildfire smoke to illuminate information sources, changing perceptions and smoke preparation strategies. To develop this survey, we will reference a previous survey conducted by UO researchers on this project in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority that was a representative survey of Oregon residents’ experiences with wildfire smoke events. This survey provided baseline data for tracking directional changes in Oregon residents’ responses to wildfire smoke. Repeating this survey will provide important information for identifying how Oregon’s ongoing experience with smoke may be driving household’s adaptation to changing air quality conditions.
- Communication review: We will aim to understand how different organizations define risks associated with smoke, along with proposed solutions and recommended protective actions. We will conduct a content analysis to assess how both mental and physical health impacts of smoke are described. This will include formal public-facing smoke-related communications generated by organizations, including public health and environmental organizations/agencies during the 2024 or 2025 fire season.
- After action review: We will conduct AARs to evaluate the effectiveness of preparation and response during smoke events and identify lessons learned and needed additional preparation, capabilities, and organizational networks. In 2025, we will sample areas using an opportunistic case selection approach based on which communities experience wildfire smoke events
- Community case studies – planning and preparation: We will conduct in-depth qualitative case studies of three communities to understand how and the extent to which communities are prepared. Case studies will be selected based on criteria developed, specifically, communities that have: 1) experienced smoke events; 2) engaged in smoke preparation activities; and 3) specific focus on vulnerable populations (e.g., those with medical conditions, non-English speaking, unhoused). We will begin this in summer 2024.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 3 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Communication, risk, policy, mitigation, adaptation, decision making, public policy, management, forest, community, vulnerability, rural, equityRelevant Websites:
Institute for Resilient Organizations, Communities, and Environments Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.