Red Flag Warning October 15-17, 2026

Posted on October 14, 2026, 5:00 PM

National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Los Angeles and Ventura county coastal and valley areas, including Malibu and Calabasas, from 6 AM Thursday, October 15 through 8 PM Saturday, October 17 due to low humidity and winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts up to 55 MPH. As a precaution, officials are also closing Topanga Canyon Road from Mulholland Drive to Pacific Coast Highway, which is a route routinely susceptible to weather-related closures. Officials have not announced plans for any other road closures.

The University expects to maintain normal operations and classes as regularly scheduled at all Southern California campuses this week.

Red Flag Warnings issued by the National Weather Service identify periods of warm temperatures, low humidity, and stronger winds which can pose an elevated risk of fire danger. 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 campus locations, report smoke by calling 911.
• Use caution when disposing of cigarettes and ensure that they are completely extinguished. As a reminder, Pepperdine is a smoke-free University. 
• Minimize any use of open flame in outdoor settings.
• Consider taking down umbrellas and moving patio furniture inside.

During Red Flag conditions, Southern California Edison (SCE) may issue a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), a preemptive deenergization of electrical circuits in an attempt to reduce wildfire risk. This could result in a loss of power for a Pepperdine campus. While SCE typically takes steps to advise the community in advance, the community should nevertheless be prepared for the possibility of an unexpected temporary loss of power. Further details on a PSPS and how you can prepare are available here. 

The Department of 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.

Red Flag Warning October 15-16, 2026

Posted on October 14, 2026, 8:00 AM Updated on October 14, 2026, 7:48 AM

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Los Angeles and Ventura county coastal and valley areas, including Malibu and Calabasas, from 6 AM Thursday, October 15 through 10 PM Friday, October 16 due to low humanities of 5-15% and Santa Ana winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts up to 60 MPH. 

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.
• Consider taking down umbrellas and moving patio furniture inside.

During Red Flag conditions, Southern California Edison (SCE) may issue a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), a preemptive deenergization of electrical circuits in an attempt to prevent power lines from starting a potential wildfire. This may result in the loss of power for a Pepperdine campus. While SCE has promised to advise the community in advance, and University officials are in regular communication with SCE representatives, the community should nevertheless be prepared for the possibility of a loss of power. Further details on a PSPS and how you can prepare are available here. 

The Department of 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.

Malibu Canyon Road Remains Closed Following Water Main Break

Posted on September 14, 2026, 8:41 PM

Malibu Canyon Road remains closed between Mulholland Drive and Lost Hills Road due to a water main break. While the pipeline has been repaired and officials are continuing to restore the road, it is not yet open. The University will continue to update the road conditions hotline with the current status of the road as officials continue their work. Even if Malibu Canyon Road remains closed in the morning, normal operations will continue tomorrow at all Southern California campuses and are expected to continue throughout the week. 

Malibu Canyon Road remains open in both directions south of Mulholland Drive. All other routes to campus remain open, including Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), and Kanan Dume Road South to PCH and North to the 101 freeway.

Everyone should plan for a potentially slower commute, since your typical route to/from the Malibu campus may not be accessible and/or traffic may be heavier than normal. Confirm road conditions before departing. Employees and students are encouraged to drive slowly and carefully, leave plenty of extra time for travel, and remain informed about conditions for Pepperdine’s Southern California campuses by utilizing the following resources: 

• Malibu Campus Road hotline: 310.506.ROAD (7623) 
• Emergency Information Page: emergency.pepperdine.edu 

Greater Los Angeles road conditions can be viewed online at www.sigalert.com.