UCLA’s 46,000-student campus, which borders the Palisades Fire Evacuation Zone, was nearly deserted due to poor air quality and the university’s decision to move classes online this week.
UCLA officials said Sunday there was no immediate danger to the Westwood campus. But as the fire spread to Brentwood, the university issued a notice asking students to be on high alert, advising them to “remain vigilant and prepared to evacuate” if conditions changed.
Chancellor Julio Frenk, who took office this month, has been sharing video statements on Instagram and X encouraging the UCLA community to remain resilient.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and make plans for any eventuality,” Frenk posted on Instagram on Sunday. “As of now, there are no evacuation orders or warnings on our campus. But I know Many of us are facing real challenges. There is still a lot of uncertainty and fear about the future. There are a lot of concerns about air quality.
UCLA has a plan in place to bus students off campus (which has about 14,000 students) if the fire department issues a mandatory evacuation order.
On Sunday, many students appeared to have made their own decisions.
The usually bustling Dickson Court next to Royce Hall was deserted, save for a few tourists and nearby residents walking their dogs. Most canteens are closed. In the second week of the spring semester, “The Hill” in the northwest area of campus where dormitories are concentrated is basically silent, except for the sound of students rushing to leave.
Elliott Cho, a senior at UCLA, moved out of his dormitory on January 12, 2025.
(Karin Steele/The Times)
In the dormitory area on De Neve Drive, students stood on the street with packed bags and bright yellow mobile carts, waiting for parents, Lyfts and Ubers to take them to the airport in Northern California, a friend’s house or out of state. The scene feels like move-in or move-out day rather than the start of winter quarter.
“Almost everyone is gone,” said Titi Olotu.
On Thursday, Olotu initially left Olympic Hall dormitory in a smoky campus environment to stay with an aunt in nearby East Los Angeles.
“I’m probably one of the last people to leave officially,” said Olotu, a sophomore biology major. She went viral after posting a video on TikTok criticizing UCLA for keeping campus open for instruction on Wednesday, a day after the Palisades Fire, which burned nearly 24,000 acres on Sunday , 11% under control) the day after the outbreak.
“I wish things were better overall,” Olotu said.
The few students who remain on campus tend to be residential assistants (who work in dormitories in exchange for free room, board and other benefits) and international students whose families are far away from home.
In Saxon Suites Hall, Tommy Contreras decided to stay put because of his responsibilities as a Resident Assistant and Undergraduate Student Association representative.
UCLA Rieber Court, January 12, 2025.
(Karin Steele/The Times)
“It’s a ghost town,” Contreras said.
“At least thousands of people left,” said Contreras, a third-year political science and public affairs major. He has been working with student government representatives to raise relief donations for the charity Dream Center Foundation. “I was on campus and I only saw one other person yesterday.”
Contreras said he could see the Palisades fire from his dormitory late last week. He said he was relieved now that there was no more flames in his sight.
“We’re glad UCLA is working with us. For example, there are masks at the front desk of the dormitories, and the school has been responsive to our need to take classes remotely. “Still, it’s been tough. Some people have asthma and need clean air.” Machines. We have had days when the floors turned black and ash fell from the sky. But we are a UCLA community working together to solve this problem.
Evan Li and Matthew Li were roommates, not related, living in an apartment on the south side of campus and decided to stay. On Sunday afternoon, they played a horse game on a basketball court off De Neve Drive while nearby students evacuated.
“I don’t think the fire is a threat to us,” said Evan Li, a senior studying computer science and applied mathematics. “If I wanted to go there now, home is far away.” His family is in Toronto.
Matthew Li, a senior majoring in neuroscience, said his mother in Sacramento called him to discuss the possibility of returning home. But he said last-minute flights were too expensive and he didn’t think the danger was imminent.
“I think we’ll be back to normal soon,” Matthew Lee said.
UCLA said in the event of a mandatory evacuation, the meeting points will be Pauley Hall and Te Puana Apartments, and the university will provide transportation to alternative housing. Communications will include announcements via Bruin Alert.
UCLA has not said where students will land after they are evacuated.
Sophomore Reia Uchiumi (left) and senior Ariel Tan move out of their UCLA dorm rooms.
(Karin Steele/The Times)
In a statement to The Times, university administration said the “safety and well-being of all Bruins remains our top priority” and that its Office of Emergency Management has “identified several suitable sites” for potential evacuees. , and will “identify specific locations” based on student and operational needs. “
“We have surveyed all students in university-owned housing and the Westwood area and are ready to transport and house any students who express a need for temporary housing,” the statement read.
“In the event of an evacuation, international students and any students or employees in need of housing will receive free shelter, food, supplies and Wi-Fi at off-campus locations,” a FAQ on the university’s website states.
