Red Flag Warning October 15-16, 2026
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.
