Experts available to discuss Los Angeles wildfires
As multiple deadly fires continue to push through Los Angeles County, burning thousands of structures, CU «Ƶ faculty experts are available to discuss the impacts of wildfire smoke, wind, vulnerable groups, insurance complications and more.
Email cunews@colorado.edu to schedule interviews with experts.
Wildfire smoke and indoor air quality
Colleen Reid, associate professor of geography, can discuss the health impacts of wildfire smoke and potentially hazardous indoor air quality after urban wildfires. In one recent study, she found that residents of surviving homes experienced health problems six months after the Marshall Fire, which burned 1,000 homes in «Ƶ County in 2021.
Read:
Wind and wildfires | Climate Change
Andrew Winters, assistant professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences can talk about the wind patterns that led to and are fueling fires across southern California right now.
READ: How powerful winds are turning California fires into an uncontrollable crisis
Pedro DiNezio is an associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. They study the impact of El Niño and La Niña on global climate, and can discuss how climate change is worsening certain extreme weather events and natural disasters.
Wildfires and grasslands
Katherine Suding is a distinguished professor of ecology. She is available to talk about how grassland fires—such as those occurring in Southern California—differ from forest fires, as well as strategies to reduce the fire risk of living in wildfire-prone grasslands.
Impact on firefighters
Arielle Milkman is a PhD graduate of the Department of Anthropology. She can discuss how climate change is affecting wildland firefighters’ physical health and mental well-being. She can also talk about how frontline communities such as farmworkers and residents develop knowledge about wildfire management and contribute to fire response efforts.
Impact on children and vulnerable populations
Lori Peek, director of the Natural Hazards Center at CU «Ƶ, can discuss the unique impacts of natural disasters on vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly and people with disabilities. Peek is the co-author of the book “Children of Katrina,” one of the only multi-year studies exploring what happens to children after disasters.
Read: Rebuilding lives after headlines fade
Impact on the incarcerated
Shawhin Roudbari, associate professor of environmental design, can discuss how jails and prisons often fail to protect incarcerated people during natural disasters like wildfires.
Read:
Insurance Complications
Tony Cookson and Emily Gallagher of the Leeds School of Business can discuss their recent study on natural disasters and underinsurance, which foundthat many homeowners focus on premiums, unaware of gaps in their coverage, leaving them vulnerable in the event of disasters.
Animals and natural disasters
Leslie Irvine is a professor in the Department of Sociology. She studies animal sheltering, abuse and welfare. She can discuss the impact of natural disasters on animals and how to keep pets safe during wildfires.
Read:‘To save our pets, we need to know our neighbors.’ Lessons from the Marshall Fire (from 2022)