Gene Block Chancellor | University Of California, Los Angeles
Gene Block Chancellor | University Of California, Los Angeles
A recent data brief by the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute and the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge highlights the significant impact of wildfires on Latino and underserved communities in Los Angeles County. The Palisades, Hurst, and Eaton wildfires have affected these communities beyond evacuation zones, with a focus on those working in outdoor sectors such as construction, delivery, transportation, and agriculture.
The report notes that 17% of residents in Latino neighborhoods are employed in outdoor occupations compared to 6% in white neighborhoods. This workforce faces increased risks of respiratory illness from wildfire smoke and income loss due to work disruptions. Additionally, some workers may experience further financial instability if their workplaces are damaged or closed due to poor air quality.
Authored by Chhandara Pech, Dr. Silvia R. González, and Albert Kochaphum, the brief highlights several disparities:
- Health disparities: Latino neighborhoods face nearly double the exposure to diesel and PM2.5 pollution compared to white neighborhoods. Asthma-related emergency room visits average 67 per 10,000 residents in Latino areas versus 25 per 10,000 in white areas.
- Lack of preparedness: Many Latino households and small businesses lack disaster plans or insurance coverage. About 30% of surveyed small businesses do not have insurance for fire or natural disasters.
- Access to health care: In Latino neighborhoods, 14% of residents are uninsured compared to 3% in white neighborhoods.
“These findings show that wildfires exacerbate long-standing inequities, not just for Latinos but for all underserved communities in Los Angeles County,” said Pech from the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge.
“We must take immediate action to address these disparities through equitable disaster response, preparedness and recovery efforts,” stated Silvia R. Gonzalez from UCLA LPPI.
The authors recommend policy solutions such as expanding health care access, implementing employer-mandated protections for outdoor workers, and investing in culturally responsive emergency preparedness programs.
This brief marks the beginning of an ongoing analysis series on wildfire impacts. Future publications will delve deeper into affected workers, displaced jobs, and small businesses.
For more information or to read the full data brief, visit the Latino Policy and Politics Institute website.
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