An Interesting Survey from PEMCO — Wildfire & Smoke in 2024

PEMCO ordered a survey of residents in Oregon and Washington about wildfire issues. They check with people in the King, Snohomish and Pierce counties near Seattle, in Multnomah, Marion, Clackamas and Washington counties near Portland and in Spokane and Stevens counties near Spokane.

The questions in the survey ranged from wildfire hitting a person’s residence to preparedness to how people feel about the smoke that permeates their homes. The responses are fascinating.

How concerned are you about the possibility that wildfire could threaten your personal safety, your home, or other property that you own or rent?

Very concerned

Overall — 30%

Portland — 28%

Seattle — 27%

Spokane — 36%

Somewhat concerned

Overall — 28%

Portland — 28%

Seattle — 26%

Spokane — 31%

Slightly concerned

Overall — 24%

Portland — 25%

Seattle — 24%

Spokane — 22%

Not concerned at all

Overall — 17%

Portland —17%

Seattle — 22%

Spokane — 11%

How likely are you to prepare for the effects of wildfire and smokey air before the threat is imminent in your community?

Extremely likely

Overall — 19%

Portland — 14%

Seattle — 21%

Spokane — 23%

Very likely

Overall — 26%

Portland — 26%

Seattle — 25%

Spokane — 29%

Somewhat likely

Overall — 26%

Portland — 31%

Seattle — 23%

Spokane — 25%

Not too likely

Overall — 19%

Portland — 20%

Seattle — 24%

Spokane — 14%

Not at all likely

Overall — 7%

Portland — 7%

Seattle — 6%

Spokane — 7%

What does your household typically do during wildfire season to protect yourselves and your home from the threat of fire and/or smoke?

Use air purifier

Overall — 50%

Portland — 53%

Seattle — 50%

Spokane — 47%

Water the surrounding area

Overall — 46%

Portland — 45%

Seattle — 44%

Spokane — 49%

Trim trees and bushes

Overall — 38%

Portland — 37%

Seattle — 39%

Spokane — 39%

Improve window seals

Overall — 31%

Portland — 30%

Seattle — 34%

Spokane — 30%

Replace air filters

Overall — 31%

Portland — 34%

Seattle — 26%

Spokane — 34%

Install specialized air conditioning

Overall — 31%

Portland — 28%

Seattle — 33%

Spokane — 33%

Nothing

Overall — 34%

Portland — 16%

Seattle — 18%

Spokane — 15%

During wildfire season when it's smoky, how much do you rely upon the air quality index to determine your plans for the day?

Always

Overall — 22%

Portland — 15%

Seattle — 22%

Spokane — 28%

Usually

Overall — 29%

Portland — 28%

Seattle — 30%

Spokane — 30%

Sometimes

Overall — 23%

Portland — 25%

Seattle — 22%

Spokane — 22%

Rarely

Overall — 11%

Portland — 12%

Seattle — 11%

Spokane — 10%

Never

Overall — 12%

Portland — 15%

Seattle — 12%

Spokane — 8%

Which of these changes do you make if the air quality is poor due to smoke?

Avoid exercising outdoors

Overall — 52%

Portland — 50%

Seattle — 54%

Spokane — 51%

Avoid spending time outdoors

Overall — 24%

Portland — 25%

Seattle — 23%

Spokane — 25%

Keep windows shut tightly and doors closed

Overall — 6%

Portland — 9%

Seattle — 7%

Spokane — 3%

Make sure people vulnerable to the conditions in my household avoid spending time outdoors

Overall — 9%

Portland — 7%

Seattle — 9%

Spokane — 12%

No changes

Overall — 6%

Portland — 7%

Seattle — 5%

Spokane — 7%

Running an air purifier

Overall — 2%

Portland — 2%

Seattle — 1%

Spokane — 2%

Source link: PEMCO — https://bit.ly/4dkf6cc