Malibu

All Operations Normal

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Welcome to Pepperdine University’s Emergency Information website. CURRENTLY ALL UNIVERSITY OPERATIONS ARE NORMAL.

This Emergency Information Web site may be accessed via a link on Pepperdine University’s Home Page at anytime. You may wish to save the URL for easy referencing in the event of an emergency impacting Pepperdine University in Malibu, or any of its campuses. During an emergency, information on this site will be updated regularly to keep students, faculty, staff, and family members informed with accurate and current information.

In addition to briefings which are posted during an emergency, this site makes it easy for you to obtain the latest information or road conditions affecting the Malibu campus. In the event of an emergency, the latest information will be posted at the top of this page.

Pepperdine’s Toll Free Emergency Hotline: (888) 286-5659. The recorded message is updated regularly during emergency situations.

Information about current road conditions is also available on the Road Condition Hotline at (310) 506-ROAD (7623).

To report an emergency on the Malibu campus and at all other domestic University campuses, call 911. Then please call the Department of Public Safety at (310) 506-4441.

If you have any questions, please call the Public Relations Office at (818) 702-1401.

This entry was posted in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Calabasas, Florence, Italy, Heidelberg, Germany, International Campuses, Irvine, London, England, Malibu, US Campuses, Vevey, Switzerland, Washington D.C., West Los Angeles.

Bryson Fire Morning Update

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University officials continue to monitor the Bryson Fire near Encinal Canyon. Evacuation orders remained in effect throughout the night. The fire does not currently pose a threat to Pepperdine’s Malibu campus and all operations, including classes, are normal at all Pepperdine University Southern California campuses.

Road closures have been established around the perimeter of the fire and commuters are encouraged to avoid the area and utilize alternative routes.

Pepperdine community members are encouraged to review the University’s wildfire preparedness plans which are reviewed annually by the LA County Fire Department. This includes the practice of sheltering in place on the Malibu campus when a wildfire threatens the campus. If the University’s zone is placed on an evacuation order status, the University would initiate its shelter-in-place protocol.

Additionally, please be advised of the following:

  • Community members whose homes are threatened by the fire, or affected by evacuation warnings or any road closures should follow the directions of their local governmental agencies and discuss the situation with their supervisors or professors for accommodations as needed.
  • The Watch Duty app has the latest information on the fire and the Genasys system notes which zones are under evacuation warnings and orders.
  • The Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service will continue through Saturday at 8 PM.
  • The latest information from Pepperdine’s EOC is also available on the University’s Emergency Information Page. As a reminder, the EOC will communicate with the University community. It is good practice to keep electronics charged and to monitor your email and phone.

This entry was posted in Malibu.

Pepperdine Monitoring the Bryson Fire Near Encinal Canyon

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University officials are monitoring the Bryson Fire near Encinal Canyon, which is located approximately eight miles northwest of the Malibu campus. Winds are blowing southwest and away from the Malibu campus. The fire does not currently pose a threat to Pepperdine’s Malibu campus. Considerable firefighting resources have been assigned to address this incident. Firefighting aircraft and smoke may be visible from campus.

Please be advised of the following:

  • Community members whose homes are threatened by the fire, evacuation warnings, or any road closures should follow the directions of their local governmental agencies and discuss the situation with their supervisors or professors for accommodations as needed.
  • The Watch Duty app has the latest information on the fire and the Genasys system notes which zones are under evacuation warnings and orders.
  • The Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service will continue through Saturday at 8 PM.
  • The latest information from Pepperdine’s EOC is also available on the University’s Emergency Information Page. As a reminder, the EOC will communicate with the University community. It is good practice to keep electronics charged and to monitor your email and phone.

This entry was posted in Malibu.

Red Flag Warning October 15-17, 2026

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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.

This entry was posted in Calabasas, Malibu.