Working During Wildfires: Farmworker Protections and Policy Recommendations for California’s Evacuation Zones

Farmworkers often continue working during active wildfires, even in evacuation zones, facing serious health, safety, and economic risks. This webinar will explore these challenges and discuss policy solutions to better protect agricultural workers.

The discussion will feature:

• Professor Carly Hyland, UC Berkeley School of Public Health
• Linda Gordon, Supervising Attorney, UC Berkeley Investigation Lab & Berkeley Human Rights Center
• Zeke Guzman, Farmworker Advocate
• Neha Sanghera, Berkeley Food Institute (Moderator)

Panelists will share findings from recent research on Sonoma County’s Agricultural Access Verification Card (“Ag Pass”) Program, which allows approved agricultural workers to re-enter evacuation zones during wildfires. Drawing on a survey of over 1,000 farmworkers, the webinar will highlight workers’ experiences with wildfire smoke exposure, economic pressures to keep working, gaps in existing protections, and policy recommendations for local and state governments. The panel will also discuss community-centered research approaches that elevate farmworkers’ voices and priorities.

This event is hosted by UC Berkeley. For more information and to register, visit:
https://berkeley.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_d6JN3WwoSeyNNvUEaWDYbA#/registration