Few Californians Are Prepared for a Disaster

After last year's relatively tame wildfire season was followed by wetter-than-average rainy months, some were holding out hope for a diminished fire season this year. But California's recent prolonged heatwave and dry conditions have proved to be problematic-and in recent days the Park Fire near Chico has become one of the largest fires by acreage in state history. As the potential for more fires remains high, how do Californians view the threat of wildfires and how prepared are they for a natural disaster?

In our most recent survey, Californians named wildfires as the second most important environmental issue facing the state. Most say that the threat of wildfires in their part of the state is either a big problem (39%) or somewhat of a problem (40%). Interestingly, when we fielded our survey in late June, the share calling this threat a big problem was at its lowest point since we began asking this question in 2019.

Across regions, residents in the Inland Empire (88%) are the most likely-and those in Los Angeles (72%) are the least likely-to say this threat is a problem (78% each in Central Valley, Orange/San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area). More than seven in ten across demographic groups say the threat of wildfires is a problem.

For the majority of the population, wildfires feel like a direct threat. Most say wildfires in their part of the state are either a very serious (26%) or somewhat serious (40%) threat to their personal and economic wellbeing.

Where will residents turn for help if the worst happens? Relatively few expect to rely on the government. Just one in three Californians (32%) say they have a great deal of confidence in the government's readiness to respond to wildfires in their part of the state-two in three say they have only some confidence (52%) or hardly any confidence (15%).

However, when asked if they are personally prepared for a disaster, only 35% of adults say yes. Some have plans to prepare: 23% intend to prepare in the next six months and 22% plan to do so in the next year. The rest-20%-have no plans to prepare in the next year.

Differences in preparedness varies across the state's major regions and demographic groups. Residents in Orange/San Diego (41%) and the San Francisco Bay Area (39%) are more prepared than residents of other regions. White Californians are the most likely-and Asian Californians the least likely-to say they are prepared. Preparedness increases with age and is higher among those with incomes of $80,000 or more (39%) than among those earning less (30%). Notably, homeowners (42%) are much more likely than renters (27%) to say they are prepared.

Worries about wildfires do not appear to spur disaster preparedness. We find only minimal differences in preparation among those who view the threat of wildfires as a big problem (35% are prepared), somewhat of a problem (32%), or not a problem (39%) in their part of California.

And preparation levels are similar no matter how serious a personal or economic threat Californians rate wildfires: among those saying very serious, 37% are prepared; somewhat serious, 32%; not too serious, 37%. Likewise, confidence in the government's response does not relate to large differences in preparation: a great deal of confidence, 38% are prepared; only some confidence, 32%; and hardly any, 39%.

As firefighters work to contain the Park Fire, it's important to note that conditions for wildfires may worsen as the summer continues-and wildfire season could stretch into late fall. It's clear from our survey that Californians are concerned: they view wildfires as a problem and as a personal threat. And yet so few Californians say they are prepared for a disaster. Resources to support plans and preparations are critical in expanding the number of residents who can say that they will be ready if and when they have to be.