SURVEILLANCE FOR WILDFIRE DISASTER ISDS Community of Practice 11/28/2017 SURVEILLANCE FOR WILDFIRE DISASTER Jeffrey Johnson, MPH Senior Epidemiologist Epidemiology & Immunization Services Branch Public Health Services

FIRES – SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Wildfire Evacuation

FACTORS FOR WILDFIRE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY Little rain during year Hot dry summers – low humidity “Santa Ana” winds (high desert winds blowing east to west) Extensive backcountry canyons, hills and mountains Large population urban to rural intersect

2003 2007 2014 Significant fires in san diego county 370,000 acres 2,500 homes 15 deaths 2003 10/25/03 – 11/3/03 2007 970,973 acres 1,500 homes 14 deaths 10/20/07 – 11/09/07 2014 29,381 acres 55 homes 1 death 5/5/14 – 5/22/14

2003 Wildfire 2007 Wildfire

Presentation at the 2012 ISDS Conference Look it up 

Wildfire Surveillance Areas of Focus IMMEDIATE IMPACT Situational awareness right away & real time Determine population health impact trends Monitor initial impact on regional health care system Descriptive analysis FOLLOWING DISASTER Look for obvious residual health impacts Monitoring disaster recovery population health dynamics Information for preliminary reports, etc LONG TERM Participate in long term impact assessments, studies and grants Review surveillance methodology and prepare for next wildfire

WILDFIRE SURVEILLANCE Data Sources: Indicators: Emergency department visits Pre-hospital transports 911 calls Medical Examiner Death Certificates Other Total visits/encounters Respiratory (several categories) Cardiac Asthma Burns Other

2003 FIRES Fire start Fire end

2007 FIRES Emergency Department Syndromic Surveillance Fire Period

San Diego Wild Fires, 2007

Summary thoughts Wildfires will continue to occur sporadically in San Diego County Wildfires behave differently in different U.S. regions Prevention efforts should target those at greatest risk during wildfires Additional research is needed to determine long-term effects of effects of wildfires on human health Electronic health information may bolster surveillance capabilities and findings

Thank You jeffrey.johnson@sdcounty.ca.gov