Pepperdine University is closely monitoring the Camarillo Springs Fire and weather conditions in Southern California. The University’s campuses in Malibu and Westlake Village are not currently threatened by the fire. Pepperdine will continue to remain in close contact with appropriate county and state agencies to ensure the safety of our campus community.

For the latest information regarding road closures, please call: 310-506-ROAD (7623).

At this time, Pepperdine’s Malibu and Westlake Village campuses are not threatened by the Camarillo Springs Fire.  However, we continue to monitor the situation closely, as today is another Red Flag warning day with weather conditions favorable to wild land fire activity.

Pepperdine’s plans to address the risk of wild land fires are well-practiced by experienced staff who have managed brushfire situations in the past.  The University’s Emergency Operations Committee is on standby and has been closely monitoring the Camarillo Springs Fire and has staff resources present at the fire department’s incident command post.  These precautions are routine and precautionary.  Pepperdine enjoys a close and trusted relationship with the fire department and receives the latest accurate information from fire officials in order to make the best decisions to protect our community.  Further, Pepperdine has resources on campus to shelter-in-place community members if a brushfire threatens the Malibu campus.  Further detail about this practice can be found at: http://emergency.pepperdine.edu/shelter-in-place/.

The University’s plans call for early announcements to our community and guests to alert them of necessary precautions to take in the event the campus is threatened.

Multiple agencies are fighting a large brush fire in Ventura County, near the Camarillo grade between Camarillo and Newbury Park. The fire is moving toward Newbury Park south of the 101 Freeway. Evacuations are in effect. Many University employees live in this area of the Conejo Valley, and some of their homes could become affected. If impacted employees need to attend to their families or homes, they should feel free to do so while coordinating with their supervisors. The EOC is monitoring the situation, and we have DPS presence at the fire command post. There is no threat to the Malibu or Westlake Village campuses at this time, however the fire is not under control and strong winds are spreading the fire rapidly.

The National Fire Weather Service has reported a Red Flag Warning for all of the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties from 5 a.m. Wednesday until 5 p.m. Friday, May 3. In the Santa Monica Mountains Malibu area, the Red Flag will be in effect from 8 p.m. Wednesday through 5 p.m. Friday, with the strongest Northwest gusty winds up to 55 m.p.h. and low relative humidities possibly reaching the single digits. Coastal area temperatures are expected within the high 80′s and low 90′s between Thursday and Friday.

While the winds are expected to subside on Friday, very warm temperatures and low humidities will continue and Red Flag Warnings may need to be extended over part or all areas of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties into the weekend.

Red Flag warnings issued by the National Weather Service identify time periods when conditions are ideal for wildfires. During Red Flag warnings it is especially important to:

• Report any signs of smoke immediately to emergency responders. If on the Malibu campus call Public Safety at (310) 506-4441. At all other locations report smoke by calling 911.
• Use caution when disposing of cigarettes and ensure that they are completely extinguished.
• Minimize any use of open flame in outdoor settings.

Pepperdine Public Safety is monitoring the situation and is prepared to respond to potential wildfires. Additional information regarding Red Flag warnings and Pepperdine’s wildfire response plans is available on the University’s Emergency Information Page, http://emergency.pepperdine.edu, and in the Emergency Preparedness Guide found in WaveNet beginning on page 14.

We want to make the Pepperdine community aware of an ongoing Department of Public Safety investigation regarding Payson Library. The investigation relates to suspicious internet usage and acts of vandalism, which are ambiguous in meaning, but could possibly be interpreted as threatening. Public Safety is thoroughly investigating the matter in conjunction with law enforcement. While we have no reason to believe any danger exists, we are taking extraordinary precautions. If you have questions, you may contact the Department of Public Safety at (310) 506-4700. Please remember to always report suspicious activity immediately by calling 911 or the Department of Public Safety at Extension 4441.

The National Fire Weather Service has reported periods of offshore gusts up to 45mph in the mountains of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, including the Santa Monica range, between midnight last night through Friday morning.   Humidities at the peak of this wind event are expected to be in the 14 to 20 percent range overall.  Periods of critical fire weather conditions are expected during this period, but durations are not expected to be sufficient for red flag warnings.

Power has been restored to the Malibu campus.

Power has been restored to most parts of the Malibu campus. Southern California Edison is continuing their work to permanently remedy the situation.

As of 4:05 p.m., the Malibu campus has experienced an unplanned power outage.  Southern California Edison is on site responding and it is unknown at this time as to when power will be restored.  We will post further updates as information becomes available.