Calabasas
Emergency Operations Committee Closing
The winds predicted for today were less intense than initially forecasted, and the Red Flag Warning will expire at 10 PM this evening. Experts note a chance of light rain this Saturday but do not have concerns about potential slides in burned areas.
This will be the last update message on these fires, as the Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) is concluding its response efforts, transitioning the University back to regular leadership structures. Though the EOC is closed, Pepperdine continues to support recovery efforts in the Malibu area as well as members of the Pepperdine community who have been impacted by the fires. To learn more about these efforts please visit Pepperdine’s Wildfire Community Support webpage.
To address common questions, responses have been added to the University’s Emergency Information webpage, along with links to additional information as appropriate.
Thank you for your cooperation, flexibility, and partnership as the University navigated the most recent fires including the Palisades, Kenneth, and Eaton Fires.
Palisades Fire – FAQs
- With all of the recent fires, is Pepperdine’s campus safe from future fires?
- The Malibu campus is a safe place. The university constructs our buildings and installs landscaping with fire considerations in mind. We also are celebrated by first responders for our extensive brush clearance and fire preparation. The University also employs wildland fire certified personnel on our public safety team.
Additionally, because the Franklin fire burned much of the brush surrounding the Malibu campus, the campus has a buffer resulting in much less possible fuel surrounding the campus.
If a wildfire were to impact the Malibu Campus, the University has significant and tested plans in place to address such a situation. The EOC may activate its shelter in place protocol, in which the University community will be directed to stay on campus and move to the Tyler Campus Center (TCC) and/or Payson Library. This shelter in place plan is approved by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
- The Malibu campus is a safe place. The university constructs our buildings and installs landscaping with fire considerations in mind. We also are celebrated by first responders for our extensive brush clearance and fire preparation. The University also employs wildland fire certified personnel on our public safety team.
- With the recent fires, is air quality on campus unhealthy?
- No, air quality on campus is not unhealthy. The University regularly monitors various sources of information related to air quality including:
- The South Coast Air Quality Management District who are officially charged with reporting on air quality in our area.
- IQAir and Purple Air use similar sensors supported by local users to provide air quality data.
- Its own air quality testing conducted by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
- Additionally, the Palisades Fire did not burn near the Malibu campus, and the smoke column from the fire was blown out into the Pacific.
- No, air quality on campus is not unhealthy. The University regularly monitors various sources of information related to air quality including:
- What are the current road conditions leading to the Malibu Campus?
- Individuals looking for information on the roads leading to Pepperdine’s Malibu Campus are encouraged to call the ROAD-Hotline – 310.506.ROAD (7623) which is updated frequently.
- Current road closures include:
- PCH south of the Malibu campus is closed between the Malibu Pier and the McClure Tunnel.
- Malibu Canyon, Kanan Dume Road, and PCH north of the campus are all currently open.
- Given the recent fires, is there a greater potential for rock or mud slides following rainstorms?
- Subject-matter experts recently surveyed burned areas on and around campus following the Franklin fire, concluding that in typical storms expected in the area, the Malibu campus falls in the a low-risk category for damaging or dangerous rock or mudslides during the rainy season. The University will continue working closely with its partners to ensure safety and advise the University community of any changes.
- Subject-matter experts recently surveyed burned areas on and around campus following the Franklin fire, concluding that in typical storms expected in the area, the Malibu campus falls in the a low-risk category for damaging or dangerous rock or mudslides during the rainy season. The University will continue working closely with its partners to ensure safety and advise the University community of any changes.
- I have been personally impacted by the fires, where can I go for help from Pepperdine?
- The university wants to stand alongside any of our community members who have been impacted by the fires, and will provide personalized service to each person in need. Students, faculty, and staff can visit Pepperdine’s WIldfire Community Support page to learn more about how Pepperdine can assist them.
- The university wants to stand alongside any of our community members who have been impacted by the fires, and will provide personalized service to each person in need. Students, faculty, and staff can visit Pepperdine’s WIldfire Community Support page to learn more about how Pepperdine can assist them.
- Where can I go for information related to local fires?
- The Watch Duty app has the latest information on local fires.
- Los Angeles County officials use the Genasys system to note which zones are under evacuation warnings and orders during emergencies.
- Where can I learn more about Pepperdine’s emergency plans?
- The university has detailed and comprehensive emergency plans covering a wide variety of potential scenarios, including wildfires. Pepperdine’s Emergency Information Page serves as a repository for the University’s emergency preparedness information for various disasters, which are regularly updated, as well as the latest emergency-related messaging to the University community.
- The university has detailed and comprehensive emergency plans covering a wide variety of potential scenarios, including wildfires. Pepperdine’s Emergency Information Page serves as a repository for the University’s emergency preparedness information for various disasters, which are regularly updated, as well as the latest emergency-related messaging to the University community.
- I want to volunteer, donate, or offer assistance. How do I do that through Pepperdine?
- Individuals can visit Pepperdine’s WIldfire Community Support page to learn more about how Pepperdine is assisting the community recover through donations, volunteer activities, legal assistance, and more.
- Individuals can also make donations through the Pepperdine Strong Fund.
- I have questions which are not answered here:
- If your questions are related to academics, please contact your Dean’s office:
- Questions related to student support should be submitted to the Student Care Team.
- All other questions may be submitted to emergencyservices@pepperdine.edu.
Red Flag Warning
As the University noted was possible in Friday’s message, the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning, running from 8 AM on Monday through 10 PM on Tuesday due to winds of 25-35 miles per hour (MPH) with gusts up to 55 MPH and low humidity. Within this timeframe, weather officials predict a stronger wind period between Noon Monday and 10 AM Tuesday. The NWS has also extended the Fire Weather Watch through Thursday evening.
As a reminder, Red Flag Warnings are issued several times per year in Southern California to denote windier days, with less humidity present, when the NWS encourages preparations to reduce fire risk. As is typically the case during Red Flag Warnings, University officials prepare the campus appropriately and expect normal campus operations, including classes, to continue as scheduled. Additional information regarding Red Flag Warnings is available on the University’s Emergency Information Page.
Road Conditions Updates
Malibu Canyon remains open, though members of the Pepperdine community coming to campus from west of Kanan Dume Road are encouraged to consider continuing to use Kanan to PCH, to the John Tyler Drive gate when possible, as refueling for fire trucks and other first responders continues to occur on Malibu Canyon between PCH and Seaver Drive (main entrance to Pepperdine off of Malibu Canyon). While this refueling is occuring, those commuting to campus through Malibu Canyon will have direct access to the main entrance to Pepperdine by turning right onto Seaver Drive. Malibu Canyon Road lanes have been reduced from Seaver Drive to PCH due to the refueling operation. Because of this lane reduction, commuters may experience a slow down of southbound Malibu Canyon traffic, especially near the entrance to Pepperdine.
PCH south of campus remains closed between the McClure Tunnel where it connects with the 10 freeway and the area near the Malibu Pier.
Malibu Canyon Reopens Confirming In-Person Classes Resume on Tuesday
Officials have reopened Malibu Canyon Road to all traffic. This welcome news confirms the University’s plan to resume in-person classes on Pepperdine’s Malibu campus Tuesday, January 21.
Today, only the John Tyler Drive gate is open for entrance to campus. The Seaver Drive gate will reopen Saturday, January 18. The community is encouraged to continue to use Kanan Dume Road, to PCH, to the John Tyler Drive gate when possible, as refueling for fire trucks and other first responders continues to occur on Malibu Canyon between Seaver Drive and PCH. This refueling operation may slow down southbound Malibu Canyon traffic.
As always, please drive carefully and remain informed about conditions for Pepperdine’s Southern California campuses by utilizing the following resources:
- Information about current road conditions is also available on the Road Condition Hotline at (310) 506-ROAD (7623).
- Greater Los Angeles road conditions can be viewed online at sigalert.com.
Parking On Campus Upon Return This Weekend
The Mountain Parking Structure will open this month. Upon returning to campus, and until the parking structure opens, students, faculty, and staff should continue to park in the parking lots authorized by their current parking permit. The University will message the community with further details about the Structure and accompanying changes to parking protocols before it opens. Remember, SoCalGas is temporarily using much of the Firestone Fieldhouse parking lot to stage operations to restore natural gas to the greater Malibu community.
Pepperdine Launches New Website to Support Wildfire Recovery Efforts
Pepperdine launched a new website, www.pepperdine.edu/wildfire, detailing opportunities for giving, volunteering, ways community members can seek further support, and organizations working in the greater Los Angeles area to provide relief to those most impacted by the recent wildfires.
Fire Weather Watch Next Week
The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch advisory for Monday at 10 AM through 10 PM on Tuesday due to northeast winds of 20-30 MPH with gusts up to 50 MPH and low relative humidity. This fire weather watch may be upgraded to a Red Flag Warning over the weekend. These wind predictions are significantly less intense than those from other recent Red Flag Warnings.
Red Flag Warnings are issued several times per year in Southern California to denote windier days, with less humidity present, when the National Weather Service encourages diligent preparations to reduce fire risk. Note: wildfires do not occur during every Red Flag Warning. As is typically the case during Red Flag Warnings, University officials prepare the campus appropriately and expect normal campus operations, including classes, to continue as scheduled.
Additional information regarding Red Flag Warnings is available on the University’s Emergency Information Page.
Pepperdine Emergency Information 
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