Pepperdine University lifts shelter-in-place orders as Franklin Fire continues
Students and residents at Pepperdine University continue to face shelter-in-place orders as conditions with the Franklin Fire in Malibu fluctuate.
The shelter-in-place orders at Pepperdine University were lifted as of 6:30 a.m. Wednesday after school officials said flames diminished near campus. Shortly after 8 a.m. power was restored.
Orders have been lifted and reinstated as fire conditions around the campus have fluctuated. Strong winds throughout the day intensified causing the university to take precautionary steps and reinstate orders on Tuesday afternoon.
The direction of the fire seems to be changing and the university is actively monitoring it.
"While the Franklin Fire continues to burn in the Santa Monica mountains, active flames remain diminished on the campus, with a few spot fires, and periodic hot spots, all of which are being addressed by fire personnel. Accordingly, last night's shelter-in-place protocol for the Malibu campus community is lifted as of 6:30am.," the university wrote.
Students and residents are encouraged to use caution as fire suppression efforts are still ongoing throughout Malibu.
The shelter-in-place order was issued on Tuesday at 1:09 a.m. The administration posted on X instructing students and residents to shelter in the Tyler Camus Center or Payson Library.
The university canceled classes and final exams for the remainder of the week.
"At about 11 [p.m.] we started getting all these alarms and notifications that we had to move to a safer area," said Matt Morrison, a student at Pepperdine. "My RA's came to me, I was in my dorm prepping for finals and so I came to the library, met with some friends and we've kind of been here since."
The university advised its members to follow university instructions despite evacuation orders issued by the city of Malibu and other areas. The administration stated that their "protocol is approved by LA County Fire and executed with their cooperation."
"Unfortunately, we do have to be well prepared for these kinds of situations. In close coordination with LA County Fire, we have a shelter-in-place plan that is really designed for our residents, our students that come from all over the country," Michael Friel, a Pepperdine spokesperson said.
Friel said students and residents on campus including the university's president and his wife quickly gathered in the designated areas. The fire pushed passed Pepperdine by 3:30 a.m. but embers and hotspots continued to flare up near campus vegetation.
"The fire got really close to campus. It was kind of scary how close the fire was," Morrison said.
A junior from New York said she had never experienced anything like this. She was also studying for finals when she received a notification that she needed to head to the library.
"The Wi-Fi is out; the power is out. We are really just in a time of hectic and craziness," she said.
Friel said the university has brought in "air scrubbers" to ensure the shelter-in-place locations are in good condition.
Much of the Malibu area remains without power as fire crews continue to battle the flames.
Road closures remain on parts of Pacific Coast Highway, La Virgenes and Malibu Canyon Road.
