UC Students evacuate as outbursts of Southern California wildfires continue 

Multiple fires across Los Angeles and Ventura County continue to destroy structures and worsen Southern California air quality as residents face evacuation orders and brace for expected wind that may affect containment efforts throughout the weekend. The Pacific Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire in Pasadena have spread over a collective 33,000 acres after a series of fires, exacerbated by high wind conditions, broke out on Jan. 7.

The fire events have now claimed at least 11 lives. New evacuation orders were issued Friday night as the Pacific Palisades Fire spread over the Santa Monica mountains as firefighters battle ongoing water shortages.

Ahead of the Pacific Palisades Fire’s outbreak Tuesday morning, the City of Los Angeles declared a 24-hour Red Flag warning for Los Angeles County residents for high wind speeds with low humidity weather conditions on Jan. 6. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles began to warn of a Santa Ana winds event and “Potential Fire Weather Risk” on Jan. 2.  

The City of Irvine is not currently impacted by the fires and UCI remains open for classes, as confirmed by UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman.

“Our thoughts and well-wishes go out to all those who have lost their homes, been evacuated to temporary shelter or are threatened by one of these fires,” Gillman wrote in a campus-wide email Friday night. “Faculty are encouraged to be as flexible as possible with all students – and fellow colleagues – who are impacted by the fires. Supervisors should make every effort to accommodate the needs of affected staff.”

The Silverado Canyon Fire, which burned 12,466 acres, previously triggered mandatory evacuation warnings for 90,000 Irvine residents in October 2020 during a similar Santa Ana winds event. 

Emily Dearborn, a fifth-year UCI student and English Department teacher’s assistant, drove down to Irvine to teach on Tuesday, recalling a sudden call from her boyfriend in Pasadena. Dearborn described making her way back to their Pasadena apartment following an evacuation warning in her area of residence. 

“He was like, ‘what do you want me to grab?’ and it was very surreal. That moment of like, what do you grab in a fire?” Dearborn told New University. 

UCLA students and faculty switched to remote learning for Thursday and Friday instruction. Chancellor Julio Frenk from UCLA released a statement Friday, extending remote instruction through Monday. 

“The reality of our lives at UCLA has changed — thousands of students have returned home, many faculty and staff are struggling with loss and displacement and we are all trying to care for those around us. We acknowledge such struggles and want to be as supportive as possible,” Frenk said. 

Over a dozen schools in the area have been completely destroyed by the fires, including Marquez Charter Elementary School. The Los Angeles Unified School District is currently seeking funding relief for these institutions. 

 Smaller fire incidents have continued to arise as well, with the Kenneth Fire that has burned 1,042 acres with 80% containment. The Hurst Fire burns in the hills near homes in San Fernando Valley, and has currently reached over 70% containment.

Outgoing President Joe Biden approved Gov. Gavin Newsom’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration on Jan. 8, authorizing federal funding and U.S. Forest Service resources for the state. 

“The situation in Los Angeles is highly dangerous and rapidly evolving. President Biden’s swift action is a huge lift for California — as we throw everything we can into protecting residents with substantial state, local and federal resources,” Newsom said in a press release.

Aid and relief sources can be found via https://recovery.lacounty.gov/resources/


Jeralynn Querubin is a 2024-2025 Assistant News Editor. She can be reached at querubij@uci.edu.

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