Pacific Northwest residents worried about wildfires, but one in four say they’re not preparing

Most Washington and Oregon cities (82%) have some level of concern about the growing dangers of wildfires, but only about one in four are taking precautions to combat the impact of smoky air or fire before it starts become an immediate threat, according to a new survey. performances.

A survey by operator PEMCO Mutual Insurance of Washington and Oregon residents also shows a discrepancy in the attitudes of residents of eastern and western Washington. Respondents in the Seattle metro area were twice as likely to be indifferent to the fire threat compared to their counterparts in Spokane (22% vs. 11%).

On the other hand, nearly nine in 10 Spokane residents had at least some concern about fire risk, the survey found. Spokane County recently experienced a fire in the Dishman Hills area that put numerous homes at risk.

“We’re seeing our communities pay attention — the warmer and drier our climate gets, the more frequent and severe weather events we experience like wildfires,” said PEMCO spokeswoman Jennifer Hawton. “But we also see that there is a gap in knowledge — or action — in what residents can do to prepare. At PEMCO, we stand for safety above all else. That’s why we’re focused on sharing with those around us how they can help keep their family, neighbors and our Pacific Northwest communities safe.”

The PEMCO survey shows that 95 percent of residents are concerned about air pollution, with one in three respondents agreeing that smoky air conditions affect their health. The survey shows respondents nationwide are more likely to buy an air purifier to prepare for wildfires. Half of those surveyed say they have purchased an air purifier for their home to prepare for fires.

More than half (52%) of residents will change their daily routine when the air quality is bad, followed by 24% who say they will avoid being outdoors altogether when the air quality is bad.

PEMCO commissioned Qualtrics to survey Washington and Oregon residents about attitudes toward current issues in the Northwest. The sample size included 420 respondents in the Seattle Metro region (King, Snohomish, Pierce Counties), 402 respondents in the Portland Metro region (Multnomah, Marion, Clackamas, Washington counties), and 383 respondents in the Spokane area.

TOPICS
Catastrophe Natural disasters Fire