West LA Times

A recent data summary by the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute and the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge highlights the far-reaching effects of the Palisades, Hurst, and Eaton wildfires. These fires extend beyond evacuation zones and disproportionately affect Latinos and other underserved communities throughout Los Angeles County and neighboring areas.

The report reveals a stark reality about Latinos working in outdoor occupations such as construction, delivery, transportation, and agriculture: 17% of residents in Latino neighborhoods are employed in these sectors compared to only 6% in white neighborhoods. The wildfire smoke puts these workers at risk of respiratory illnesses and income loss due to work disruptions. Many outdoor workers may also face income interruptions as their workplaces are destroyed or closed, and air quality deteriorates across the county.

Authored by Chhandara Pech, Dr. Silvia R. González, and Albert Kochaphum, the report emphasizes urgent disparities in health, economic vulnerability, and preparedness:

Health disparities: Latino neighborhoods experience nearly double the exposure to diesel pollution and PM2.5 compared to white neighborhoods, exacerbating health risks from wildfire smoke. Emergency room visits related to asthma average 67 per 10,000 residents in Latino neighborhoods, more than 2.5 times that in white neighborhoods (25 per 10,000).

Lack of preparedness: Latino households and small businesses often lack emergency plans or insurance coverage, leaving them financially unprepared. Nearly 30% of surveyed small businesses reported having no fire or natural disaster insurance, limiting recovery options.

Access to healthcare: With 14% of residents in Latino neighborhoods uninsured (compared to 3% in white neighborhoods), access to critical healthcare during and after disasters remains a significant barrier.

"These findings show that wildfires exacerbate longstanding inequalities not only for Latinos but for all underserved communities in Los Angeles County," said Pech, associate director of the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge.

"We must take immediate action to address these disparities through equitable disaster response as well as preparedness and recovery efforts," said Silvia R. González, director of research at UCLA's LPPI.

The authors call for policy solutions such as expanding healthcare access, mandatory protections for outdoor workers by employers, and investing in culturally tailored emergency preparedness programs to protect vulnerable populations across the county.

This report is the first part of an ongoing analysis of the event. Future publications will examine all repercussions of wildfires on affected workers, displaced jobs, and small businesses.

For a full read of the data summary, visit the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute website.