Characterizing the role of trusted sources for smoke risk communication in tribal and non-tribal rural communities in the Okanogan River Airshed Emphasis Area

Abstract

Introduction: As wildfires and wildfire smoke events occur with increasing intensity and frequency in the Pacific Northwest, there is a growing need for smoke risk communication to spread awareness of and motivate taking protective action against the health risks of wildfire smoke exposure. Delivery through a trusted source or intermediary has been shown to improve reception of risk communication messages. This is especially salient in rural and tribal communities, who, for reasons including historic marginalization and disinvestment, among others, may be hesitant to trust information delivered through state and federal agency sources. This study aims to identify and characterize trusted sources for smoke risk information in rural and tribal communities in the Okanogan River Airshed Emphasis Area, a region of North Central Washington that has been heavily impacted by smoke from both local and regional wildfires and prescribed fire in recent years. Methods: The research team conducted a qualitative study using data collected through key informant interviews and focus groups to assess the current and potential role of various sources in disseminating smoke risk information throughout the community. We transcribed data verbatim and used a consensual coding approach in NVivo Qualitative Analysis Software to sort data into preliminary categories, which were grouped into themes using a thematic analysis approach. We used member checking and iterative feedback processes with local project partners throughout the project to ensure credibility of results. Results: Through the analysis, we identified three main themes characterizing trusted sources for smoke risk communication in the ORAEA. These themes were: 1) local sources of smoke information are viewed to be most trustworthy, 2) trustworthiness is determined by an evaluation of multiple factors, in particular, perceived credibility, quality of information, and relationship with the source, and 3) political ideology has a strong influence on which sources people trust. Within each theme, we identified several sub-themes, which contributed additional nuance to our analysis. Conclusions: This study provides insights into which sources of information are trusted by rural and tribal community members in the ORAEA and why. Results from our study emphasize the importance of relationships and collaboration with local and tribal partners in smoke risk communication. In this paper, we discuss implications for state and federal agency practitioners and present recommendations for how to work with local and tribal partners on smoke risk communication.