A Chapman political science professor is researching the increased use of social media, notably X, formerly known as Twitter, for red flag warnings, fire weather watches and other wildfire-related messaging.

But, how effective is this medium in communicating with residents across the western region of the U.S.? 

That is what Ann Gordon has set out to research.

Following several devastating wildfires across the state of California in the last decade, from Sonoma County to Lake Tahoe, the need has never been greater for reliable information regarding wildfire preparedness. Due to climate change, there is an added urgency for effective communication with the public about fire weather. 

According to Gordon, the weather and fuel conditions that may result in rapidly spreading wildfires are predicted days in advance.

“Wildfires, especially those within the wildland-urban interface, are not only highly destructive but (they) can also be deadly,” she said. “To avoid fatalities, it is imperative that the public understands and heeds evacuation alerts and warnings.”

While the National Weather Service (NWS) issues fire weather watches and red flag warnings to alert firefighters of the impending situation and allow strategic resourcing, the public is usually made aware of the situation through the media. This highlights the importance of effective NWS messaging, which can improve understanding of the threat and compliance with evacuation alerts and warnings when issued by local officials.

“Ultimately, it’s this increased compliance that can save lives,” Gordon told The Panther.

Understanding the differences between fire weather watches and red flag warnings is critical not only to the study, but also to residents. 

The NWS defines fire weather watches as an alert to land managers and the public that upcoming weather conditions could result in extensive wildland fire occurrence or extreme fire behavior; critical fire weather conditions are possible, but not imminent or occurring. 

On the other hand, red flag warnings alert land managers of an ongoing or imminent critical fire weather pattern; fire conditions are ongoing or expected to occur shortly.

Aside from the research portion of the study, Chapman art professor Eric Chimenti will assist with the graphic design work in an effort to improve messaging designed by meteorologists from the NWS.

“My role entails designing and redesigning the X messaging — bringing consistency, visual hierarchy, clarity and professionalism to the messaging for the public’s understanding and good,” Chimenti said.

The research study is currently in need of volunteers who are over the age of 18 and who are Orange County residents.

Through a questionnaire and a focus group discussion regarding wildfires, the study aims to discover how to craft effective fire-weather messages for social media and determine the best way to present the information so that the public will understand and take action to protect themselves and their property. To do this, red flag warning, fire weather watch and preparedness messages will be developed and rigorously tested.

Although the study will focus on X messages posted by the NWS, Gordon believes that the research would also apply to other social media platforms that residents utilize to remain informed.

Participation will occur on campus from noon to 1 p.m. on Dec. 6. As with any study involving the collection of survey and focus group data, there is the possibility of a confidentiality breach of data. Other risks in the research include possible emotional and/or psychological distress because the questionnaire and focus group discussion will involve the topic of wildfires.

For further information about participating in the study, email Gordon at agordon@chapman.edu.