3000 university student ordered to shelter in place during Malibu forest fire
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Pepperdine University instructed 3,000 students to shelter in place as the Franklin Fire approached its Malibu campus, despite 20,000 evacuations in surrounding neighbourhoods.
This debated decision aligns with the university's 1993 fire response plan, which emphasizes utilizing fire-resistant buildings and avoiding traffic gridlocks during evacuations.
The shelter-in-place protocol went into effect on 1 am on Tuesday December 10. it was was lifted at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, as fire activity around the campus had decreased.
According to Live Mint News, the decision to keep students in place, rather than to evacuate, has faced criticism in the past, particularly during the Woolsey Fire in 2018. However, the university has stood firm in defending its approach.
According to Pepperdine President Jim Gash: “Our campus, thoughtfully designed and maintained with fire safety in mind, has proven to be a secure place for our community during wildfires affecting the Malibu campus.”
Pepperdine's fire response strategy, first developed in 1993 with the LA County Fire Department, relies on fire-resistant buildings and preemptive brush clearing. Additionally, due to the limited number of access roads and concerns about potential traffic gridlocks during emergencies, the shelter-in-place strategy is prioritized.
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Pepperdine's approach has been developed in consultation with fire authorities and is tailored to the unique challenges of Malibu’s geography. The campus features buildings constructed with fire-resistant materials and is designed to minimize the risks associated with mass evacuations.
While the shelter-in-place strategy has been effective in past incidents, it continues to be a topic of discussion among safety experts and the university community.
For a visual overview of the situation during the Franklin Fire, you may find the following video informative: