Monitoring Palisade Wildfire – Update #5 – Malibu and Calabasas Campuses Closed Today

Posted on January 8, 2025, 5:15 AM Updated on January 8, 2025, 5:05 AM

The University continues to monitor the Palisades Fire, which is approximately 3.5 miles east of the Malibu campus. The fire has grown to more than 2,900 acres, but continues to pose no immediate threat to the campus. The EOC is also monitoring additional fires impacting the greater Pepperdine community.

However, due to the ongoing firefighting efforts and associated road closures, the Malibu and Calabasas campuses are closed Wednesday, January 8. All scheduled in-person classes on the Malibu and Calabasas campuses will not meet in person, and further details will be communicated to students by their professors and/or Dean’s’ offices. Additionally, all Caruso School of Law exams scheduled for today have been canceled, and the Dean’s office will be in touch with further details. 

Critical support personnel should check with their supervisors about the need to come to campus to support basic operations. All other employees should work remotely if possible. If remote work is not possible, employees should contact their supervisors to discuss their work shift. Employees who live in the areas impacted by the Palisades Fire, or have children whose schools are impacted, should work with their supervisors to adjust work schedules to attend to family or home needs. 

Road closures remain fluid and as currently reported, include: 

• PCH is closed southbound at Malibu Canyon Road and northbound at the McClure Tunnel
• Malibu Canyon Road is closed between PCH and Piuma
• Topanga Canyon remains closed to all except residents

Employees and students are encouraged to stay off roads impacted by the Palisades Fire to allow fire officials and other first responders priority on the roads, and if you must drive to campus to do so slowly and carefully, prioritizing personal safety. High winds can cause downed power lines and trees. 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: www.emergency.pepperdine.edu  
• Greater Los Angeles road conditions can be viewed online at www.sigalert.com.

Monitoring Palisades Wildfire – Update #4

Posted on January 7, 2025, 7:57 PM

University officials continue to monitor the Palisades Fire which is now approximately five miles east of the Malibu campus and has burned more than 2,900 acres. While the fire is not currently a threat to campus, flames are now visible from the campus.

As the fire moves westward and approaches the burn scar from the Franklin Fire, fuel for the fire will significantly decrease. However, if the fire threatens the Malibu Campus, the EOC may activate its shelter in place protocol via an Everbridge message to the community. If the University community needs to shelter in place, you will be directed to the Tyler Campus Center (TCC) and/or Payson Library. While Malibu City may issue instructions, including evacuation orders, the Pepperdine community should follow University instruction.

Monitoring Palisades Wildfire – Update #3

Posted on January 7, 2025, 4:38 PM Updated on January 7, 2025, 5:18 PM

University officials continue to monitor the Palisades Fire, which is approximately 7 miles east of the Malibu campus and has burned more than 1,200 acres. The fire is not a threat to campus.

Normal operations are expected to continue at all of Pepperdine’s Southern California Campuses throughout the week. 

However, during Red Flag conditions and wildfires in the Malibu area, Southern California Edison has initiated preventative power shutoffs for various power circuits in Malibu, and has indicated it is possible that they may do so for Pepperdine’s Malibu and Calabasas campuses tonight. 

The Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) will provide an update regarding campus operations by 6:00 AM on Wednesday. If there is power, this message will be emailed and posted on the Emergency Information Page. If the power is out, this message will be communicated via Everbridge, posted on the Emergency Information Page, and also posted at the following locations on campus: 

• Main doors to the Lighthouse in the Tyler Campus Center
• Main doors to the Caruso School of Law
• Pier 18 Package Lockers adjacent to Banowsky Hall
• Main doors to the Villa Executive Center

Employees who live in the areas impacted by the Palisades Fire, or have children whose schools are impacted, should work with their supervisors to adjust work schedules to attend to family or home needs. Critical support personnel should check in with their supervisors regarding plans for the remainder of the week. 

Road closures continue to be fluid and currently include: 

• PCH is closed southbound at Las Flores and northbound at the McClure Tunnel
• Topanga remains closed to all except residents
• The traffic light at Seaver and Malibu Canyon is out. 

As always, employees and students are encouraged to drive slowly and carefully, prioritizing personal safety. High winds can cause downed power lines and trees. 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: www.emergency.pepperdine.edu  
• Greater Los Angeles road conditions can be viewed online at www.sigalert.com.

If a wildfire were to impact the Malibu Campus, the EOC may activate its shelter in place protocol. If the University community needs to shelter in place, you will be directed to the Tyler Campus Center (TCC) and/or Payson Library. While Malibu City may issue instructions, including evacuation orders, the Pepperdine community should follow University instruction.