Why Pepperdine University doesn’t evacuate students, even when flames are close to campus

As the Franklin Fire forced evacuation orders or warnings for 18,000 residents in the Malibu area along the Southern California coast– including some celebrities, and more than 8,000 homes and businesses– students at Pepperdine University hunkered down to shelter-in-place. Here’s why.

Dick Van Dyke had to evacuate. So did Mark Hammill and Cher. But some 3,000 students at Pepperdine University were told to stay put, even as wildfire flames raged toward their campus. With some 20,000 Malibu residents ordered, or at least warned, to evacuate the looming Franklin Fire, some were left wondering why there are different rules for different people. “All community members on the Malibu campus are directed to shelter in place in the Tyler Campus Center or Payson Library. Despite any evacuation orders from Malibu city or surrounding areas, the University community should follow University instructions,” the university said early Tuesday as the erratic flames advanced. While it may seem counterintuitive, the strategy is intentional. Since the 1990s, shelter-in-place has been part of Pepperdine’s emergency response plan during wildfires, in part due to circumstances specific to the 830-acre campus, but the policy is not without its skeptics. The unique topography of the campus – set on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean – provides a limited number of roads to access the university. These roads may be closed or dangerous in unpredictable wildfire situations, and with 60% of students living on campus, could quickly become gridlocked, preventing students from getting to safety, according to the university. Added congestion could also hinder emergency responders from moving quickly throughout the area. “Evacuating a large population during a fast-moving wildfire can create additional risks, including exposure to hazardous conditions on congested roads,” said Michael Friel, the school’s senior director of Communications and Public Relations. “The Malibu campus is situated along Pacific Coast Highway, which can become a choke point during regional evacuations.” “Another challenge is timing. Wildfires often move rapidly, leaving little time to safely evacuate thousands of students and staff,” Friel said. “By sheltering in place, we can keep everyone accounted for and in a secure environment.”