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The Bay

Older and Overlooked: What One Fire Tells Us About the Vulnerability of Senior Care Homes

Devin KatayamaMolly PetersonEricka Cruz GuevarraAlan Montecillo
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A KQED analysis found that nearly 2 million older Californians live in the areas where wildfire is a formidable threat. (Philip Pacheco/Getty)

Many senior care homes in the Bay Area are in fire risk areas, according to a KQED investigation. These facilities are supposed to have emergency plans for disasters like wildfires in order to evacuate the mostly older people with medical conditions who live in them. But with dangerous fire season months approaching and a pandemic in full swing, some worry that many assisted-living homes aren’t prepared.

Guest: Molly Peterson, KQED Science reporter

Click here to see KQED’s Older and Overlooked project, which also includes a guide to help you protect your loved ones in care facilities.

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