Most farmworkers in Sonoma County have worked at least once under wildfire smoke and hazardous air conditions since 2017, according to a study by UC Berkeley. The research highlights a gap between California’s strict workplace protections and the experiences of agricultural workers.
California is one of only three states, along with Oregon and Washington, that require employers to provide masks when air quality becomes harmful. However, the study found that many workers reported receiving only surgical masks or inconsistent access to protective equipment during wildfires.
The survey, which is among the largest conducted with farmworkers in the region, revealed that nearly three out of four respondents said they had worked during wildfires even when air quality was considered dangerous.
Carly Hyland, lead researcher on the study and Cooperative Extension specialist at Berkeley as well as assistant professor at the School of Public Health, commented on these findings: “Many farmworkers are deeply concerned about the effects of smoke on their health,” Hyland said. “But what we heard repeatedly is that they would keep working because it becomes almost impossible to pay rent or buy food when they lose days.”
Even those who reported headaches, respiratory irritation or other symptoms indicated they would likely continue working during future fires.
Zeke Guzmán, president of Latinos Unidos del Condado de Sonoma, said workers felt ignored and unprotected. “Workers told us there was a lack of awareness or interest about the risks of working during fires,” Guzmán stated. “Many were only given a surgical mask instead of an N95 mask, and for them this was a sign that nobody really cared.”
Hyland emphasized that collaboration with local organizations and community advocates was essential for gathering information from participants who might otherwise be hesitant to engage in research. “Many workers can be cautious about participating in studies,” she said. “Our community team was essential for explaining the process and making people feel comfortable taking part.” To protect confidentiality, researchers did not collect identifiable information.
Hyland also argued for structural changes beyond educational campaigns: “The most urgent change is expanding unemployment insurance for all workers regardless of immigration status,” she noted. “Undocumented workers contribute nearly half a billion dollars each year to California’s unemployment system but cannot access benefits—forcing many to risk their health just to meet basic needs.”
The report raised concerns about Sonoma County’s Ag Pass program—a credential allowing agricultural work in evacuated areas—finding low awareness among workers and limited availability of information in Spanish or indigenous languages.
Hyland warned that gaps in worker protection will worsen as climate emergencies become more frequent: “We identified gaps in protecting farmworker health and safety that will only get worse as fires become more frequent, intense and prolonged,” she said. “Local governments need to act before the next disaster.”
Although focused on Sonoma County, researchers observed similar conditions across other agricultural regions in California where outdoor labor coincides with wildfire smoke exposure and economic insecurity.
Researchers concluded that improving economic security measures and culturally accessible communication could play an important role in protecting farmworkers from increasing wildfire-related risks.
