Social Vulnerability, Wildfire Exposure, and Mental Health

Under what social conditions is wildfire exposure associated with increases in psychological distress? In this survey study of 1510 Los Angeles County residents, conducted before and after the January 2025 wildfires, onset of wildfires was associated with a greater increase in psychological distress among evacuation zone residents compared with non–evacuation zone residents, detectable through 11 months of follow-up. This association was concentrated among individuals with household incomes below $100 000, extreme housing cost burden, prefire distress, or limited instrumental support. This study suggests that wildfire exposure was associated with increased psychological distress under conditions of psychosocial or economic vulnerability; these vulnerabilities offer a target for policy intervention.

Corresponding Author: Kyla Thomas, PhD, Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, 635 Downey Way, VPD, Los Angeles, CA 90089 (kylathom@usc.edu).

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