3000 University Students Take Refuge In Library As The Malibu Wildfire Engulf The Campus!
When the wildfire alert pierced the quiet night at Pepperdine University. Many students were cramming for their final exams and others were sound asleep in their dorms. The Franklin fire was intensifying around the campus and alerts were issued to evacuate. But instead of evacuating, about 3,000 students headed toward two central buildings on the university’s 830-acre campus: the Payson Library and Tyler Campus Center. The students who took refuge in Pepperdine University’s library watched through the windows as flames burned the Santa Monica Mountains.
Surprisingly, the university instructed its students to stay put when a raging wildfire threatened the surrounding Malibu mountains. But why? Let’s find out.
An Eerie Night of Flames and Smoke
The wildfire, known as the Franklin Fire, quickly escalated, fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds. Students sheltered in the library and campus center, witnessing the eerie orange-red haze and howling winds that brought embers and ash swirling around the picturesque campus.
“I was scared being this close to a wildfire, especially with the high winds we were experiencing—you know it can change at any minute,” said Gabrielle Salgado. Gabrielle is a journalism student reporting from the library at 1 a.m.
Photos and videos taken that night showed smoke-covered windows and flames licking the slopes near the university. For many students, the surreal scene was their closest encounter with nature’s destructive power.
Pepperdine’s Shelter-in-Place Strategy
Pepperdine University, perched in the fire-prone Malibu hills, has developed a shelter-in-place policy over decades. Rather than risking evacuation through narrow canyon roads prone to congestion during emergencies, the university has prioritized making its campus as fire-resistant as possible.
Fire-Resistant Design
The campus boasts defensible spaces around buildings, annual brush clearing to reduce flammable vegetation, and fire-resistant materials like ceramic, stucco, and steel frames. Structures are designed to prevent embers from reaching critical areas, such as roof eaves.
Emergency preparedness goes further with stocked inhalers, N95 masks, and backup generators in key buildings. Communication systems ensure that students and staff stay informed during emergencies.
Collaboration with Firefighters
The university works closely with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, stationing fire engines on campus during high-risk events. Aircraft draw water from a campus lake to combat the flames from above. As Pepperdine spokesperson Michael Friel explained during the Franklin Fire, “The plans we have in place are based on a lot of experience in this area.”
While some questioned the strategy’s effectiveness, Pepperdine’s administrators strongly defended it. “The safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priorities,” said Jim Gash, the university’s president and CEO.
Challenges and Criticism
Lessons from the Woolsey Fire
Pepperdine’s shelter-in-place policy was put to the test during the devastating Woolsey Fire in 2018. Confusion arose as mandatory evacuation orders were issued for the surrounding Malibu community, leaving residents wondering why the university didn’t follow suit.
Some locals accused Pepperdine of using the strategy to ensure county firefighting resources remained nearby, but officials, including then-LA County Fire Chief Daryl Osby, ultimately agreed that sheltering in place was the right decision.
“There have been some failures of communication,” Osby admitted, but he noted that the policy successfully protected students and campus structures during the fire.
The Night of the Franklin Fire
The Franklin Fire ignited late on Monday night and spread rapidly, fueled by strong winds. By Tuesday morning, it had scorched over 4,000 acres, destroyed seven structures, and displaced thousands of Malibu residents, including celebrities like Dick Van Dyke and Cher.
Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart described the event as a “traumatic 20 hours,” with emergency operations relocating to Calabasas after city hall was threatened. Yet, Stewart expressed hope for the community’s recovery, saying, “It burns, it grows back, and we’re resilient.”
For Pepperdine students, the night was a mix of fear and resilience. As smoke engulfed the campus, Bethany Kronlund recalled the pervasive ash and embers outside. Despite the chaos, the shelter-in-place plan held firm.
Thanks to the collaboration between the university and firefighters, no injuries or significant damage occurred on campus. By sunrise, the immediate danger had passed, the shelter-in-place order was lifted, and classes were canceled.
Conclusion
Pepperdine University’s shelter-in-place strategy, while unconventional, has repeatedly proven effective in protecting students and campus structures during wildfires. The Franklin Fire is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by communities in fire-prone areas and the importance of preparation and collaboration in ensuring safety.
For students, faculty, and the broader Malibu community, the wildfire was both a harrowing experience and a testament to resilience. As the region rebuilds, stories like these highlight the importance of fire safety measures, environmental stewardship, and the unwavering support of a community united in adversity.
Also read,
