Monitoring Los Angeles Area Fires – Update #7

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The University’s Emergency Operations Committee continues to monitor the fires in the greater Los Angeles area. The Palisades Fire is not presently a threat to Pepperdine’s Malibu campus. The footprint of the Palisades Fire has not materially changed since yesterday, which has burned 23,713 acres and is 17% contained. 

The red flag warning remains in place through 6 PM tomorrow with the highest winds predicted between 3 AM to 3 PM tomorrow with gusts of 35-55 miles per hour (MPH). These wind predictions are significantly less intense than those experienced when the Palisades Fire started, during the peak of the red flag warning last week.

Air Quality
Air quality on the Malibu campus is currently good, and the University continues to monitor campus air quality closely. While most people are comfortable and not wearing a mask, N95 masks are available for pickup on campus at the following locations: HAWC, Student Affairs front desk, Payson circulation desk, and at Human Resources. 

Additionally, campus buildings have avoided smoke damage, as most smoke from the Palisades fire was blown out to the Pacific Ocean and did not go over the campus. Conditions were significantly different than during the Franklin Fire, which burned into the vegetation on the Malibu campus.

Transportation to Campus from LAX
Transportation to campus from LAX is available via ride share (Uber/Lyft). Additionally, the University will provide shuttles to make airport runs on a designated schedule this weekend. The University will send information to students on how to sign up for shuttle service later this week. Of note, map applications are not always providing accurate information, often calculating routes far beyond the impacted area. 

Parking Structure at The Mountain
The Franklin and Palisades fires interrupted work on the parking structure at The Mountain. Even with these delays, due to the hard work of the construction team, the parking structure is still expected to open this month. 

Student Support
The University is supporting students who have been impacted by the fires. Students who have lost their off-campus housing and would like to arrange for on-campus housing for the spring semester may contact Housing. Those who have short-term housing or other needs due to fire-related impacts may contact the Student Care Team for assistance, which will coordinate support from the University. We are grateful for the generous donors who help us meet needs like these through the Pepperdine Strong Fund.

The Student Health Center and Counseling Center remain open to care for students.  Additionally, medical and mental health support are available through the TimelyCare app. Pastoral care is available from the team at the Hub for Spiritual Life. Contact Tim Spivey, vice president for spiritual life, to make an appointment.   

Faculty and Staff Support
The University is also supporting faculty and staff who have been impacted by the fire. Faculty and staff should contact Human Resources, which will coordinate support from the University through resources such as the Pepperdine Strong Fund and other available resources.

Human Resources is also available to help employees, and faculty and staff may access counseling services through their Employee Assistance Program – details are available on the Human Resources website or by contacting Human Resources at 310.506.4397.
Pastoral care is available to faculty and staff. Please contact Dee Dee Mayer, interim university chaplain, to make an appointment.

This entry was posted in Calabasas, Malibu.