Students Huddle in Library as Wildfire Rages Near Pepperdine University
A Terrifying Sight
The students huddling in Pepperdine University’s library watched through the windows as flames crested the Santa Monica Mountains. Some students prayed, while others called their parents as the wind blew embers across campus, setting palm trees on fire and drawing orange flames closer and closer to their building.
A Well-Established Plan
University officials were following a well-established plan: Pepperdine’s policy of sheltering students in fire-resistant structures when wildfires threaten Malibu has been in effect since 1993. The university notes that its shelter-in-place policy is supported and reviewed annually by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. In an emergency FAQ, the university notes that no campus buildings have been lost to wildfires.
Power Outage and Evacuation
On Monday night, many students on the Christian campus nestled between the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean were prepping for finals when power went out after 11 p.m. Campus officials sent out alerts urging them to leave their dorms and head to the university’s fire-resistant buildings.
Students’ Reactions
Matthew Morrison, an 18-year-old acting major, watched the blaze from the library’s first floor. "It was terrifying," he said. "The fire was so intense, it felt like it was battering the windows." Some students, like Morrison, felt it was more dangerous to leave campus, while others questioned the university’s policy.
Q&A
Q: Why did Pepperdine University implement a shelter-in-place policy?
A: Pepperdine developed its stay-in-place policy after the 1985 Piuma fire, which caused students to flee their dorms. Officials figured it was safer to build fire-resistant buildings than to evacuate thousands of people quickly on Malibu’s narrow roads.
Q: What is the purpose of the shelter-in-place policy?
A: The policy is designed to keep students safe by providing a safe haven in fire-resistant buildings during a wildfire.
Q: How did students react to the policy?
A: Some students were scared, while others felt it was more dangerous to leave campus. A few students questioned the policy, while others understood the reasoning behind it.
Conclusion
The students at Pepperdine University faced a terrifying situation as a wildfire raged nearby, but thanks to the university’s well-established shelter-in-place policy, they were able to stay safe. The university’s decision to keep students in fire-resistant buildings was seen as a wise move by many, but some students still questioned the policy. In the end, the students were able to weather the storm and emerge unscathed, but the experience will likely be remembered for a long time to come.
