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Is Experience the Best Teacher? Knowledge, Perceptions, and Awareness of Wildfire Risk

Author

Listed:
  • Giuseppina Spano

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy)

  • Mario Elia

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy)

  • Onofrio Cappelluti

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Colangelo

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Giannico

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy)

  • Marina D’Este

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy)

  • Raffaele Lafortezza

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
    Department of Geography, The University of Hong Kong, Centennial Campus, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong)

  • Giovanni Sanesi

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy)

Abstract

Wildfires represent a natural phenomenon with detrimental effects on natural resources and human health. A better knowledge, perception, and awareness of wildfire risk may help communities at risk of exposure to prevent future events and safeguard their own lives. The aim of this study is to explore differences between individuals with and without previous wildfire experience, in terms of (1) subjective and advanced wildfire knowledge, (2) self-reported perceptions, (3) level of information, (4) self-protection measures, and (5) importance of community involvement. As a second step, we investigated differences in the same variables, focusing more deeply on a group of individuals with previous wildfire experience, classifying them according to fire-related employment (fire-related workers vs. non-workers) and wildland–urban interface (WUI) proximity (WUI residents vs. non-WUI residents). The Kruskal–Wallis test was applied to establish differences between the pairs of subsamples. Our results partially confirmed our hypothesis, that direct experience leads individuals to have a greater preparedness on the topic of wildfires. Perception of knowledge is reflected only at a shallow level of expertise, and, therefore, no relevant within-group differences related to fire-related employment or to WUI proximity were detected. Moreover, available information was perceived to be insufficient, thus we report a strong need for developing effective communication to high-risk groups, such as homeowners and fire-related workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuseppina Spano & Mario Elia & Onofrio Cappelluti & Giuseppe Colangelo & Vincenzo Giannico & Marina D’Este & Raffaele Lafortezza & Giovanni Sanesi, 2021. "Is Experience the Best Teacher? Knowledge, Perceptions, and Awareness of Wildfire Risk," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8385-:d:610530
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shahir Masri & Erica Scaduto & Yufang Jin & Jun Wu, 2021. "Disproportionate Impacts of Wildfires among Elderly and Low-Income Communities in California from 2000–2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-20, April.
    2. Ingrid M. Martin & Holly Bender & Carol Raish, 2007. "What Motivates Individuals to Protect Themselves from Risks: The Case of Wildland Fires," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(4), pages 887-900, August.
    3. Tara Powell & Kate M. Wegmann & Emily Backode, 2021. "Coping and Post-Traumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents after an Acute Onset Disaster: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-18, May.
    4. Ho, Daniel & Imai, Kosuke & King, Gary & Stuart, Elizabeth A., 2011. "MatchIt: Nonparametric Preprocessing for Parametric Causal Inference," Journal of Statistical Software, Foundation for Open Access Statistics, vol. 42(i08).
    5. Genevieve Belleville & Marie-Christine Ouellet & Charles M. Morin, 2019. "Post-Traumatic Stress among Evacuees from the 2016 Fort McMurray Wildfires: Exploration of Psychological and Sleep Symptoms Three Months after the Evacuation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-14, May.
    6. Giuseppina Spano & Marina D’Este & Vincenzo Giannico & Giuseppe Carrus & Mario Elia & Raffaele Lafortezza & Angelo Panno & Giovanni Sanesi, 2020. "Are Community Gardening and Horticultural Interventions Beneficial for Psychosocial Well-Being? A Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-12, May.
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    1. Abolfazl Jaafari & Omid Rahmati & Eric K. Zenner & Davood Mafi-Gholami, 2022. "Anthropogenic activities amplify wildfire occurrence in the Zagros eco-region of western Iran," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 114(1), pages 457-473, October.
    2. Robert G. Ribe & Max Nielsen-Pincus & Bart R. Johnson & Chris Enright & David Hulse, 2022. "The Consequential Role of Aesthetics in Forest Fuels Reduction Propensities: Diverse Landowners’ Attitudes and Responses to Project Types, Risks, Costs, and Habitat Benefits," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-38, November.
    3. Shahir Masri & Erica Anne Shenoi & Dana Rose Garfin & Jun Wu, 2023. "Assessing Perception of Wildfires and Related Impacts among Adult Residents of Southern California," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-15, January.

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