In January, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Chancellor Julio Frenk shared his thoughts on the profound impact of the LA fires on the city and how UCLA is ensuring that it connects with the community.
The campus donated the use of its UCLA Research Park to the City of Los Angeles. It established a Disaster Recovery Center, providing critical assistance to those affected by the disaster.
Cleaning up after a fire requires considering several factors. To support the community’s recovery, students and faculty members from the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering have come together.
According to UCLA, the contributions of these students and faculty reflect a commitment to using engineering expertise to protect communities during crises.
The university is collaborating with agencies to research solutions that aim to mitigate future wildfire devastation.
UCLA Samueli researchers are advocating for investments in slope stabilization and runoff management to prevent secondary disasters, including landslides.
They have also called for water management that balances the need for fire suppression with sustainability. Furthermore, they emphasize technological innovation, highlighting the potential of AI-powered detection systems to reduce response times for fires.
Additionally, a data-informed civic initiative funded by the R&S Kayne Foundation aims to expedite the recovery process following the wildfires.
A UCLA Institute has been developing an evacuation management software platform, Wildfire Safe Egress (WiSE), that integrates fire dynamics, human behavior, and traffic models to predict the likelihood of safe egress for any given community during a wildfire evacuation.
Two professors have completed forty miles of terrestrial mapping using vehicle-mounted cameras and laser light-sensing methods. They collaborated with the City of Los Angeles to gather information on the state of utilities and roads.
An associate professor of civil and environmental engineering who leads a Department of Transportation-funded Mobility Center at UCLA collaborates with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to design and evaluate various strategies for debris removal.
Utilizing a digital twin of the City of Los Angeles created by his lab, the research team is aiding the authorities in assessing key factors to optimize debris removal efforts while ensuring the safety of the crews.
An associate professor conducted lidar and hyperspectral imaging flights to collect data before the rain arrived in February.
These observations facilitate the prediction, monitoring, and mapping of debris flows and landslides, enabling more effective management of these hazards.
Additionally, a civil and environmental engineering associate professor is leading research on slope stability and soil conditions. The team is investigating methods to stabilize burned slopes and reduce soil erosion, thereby protecting homes from further damage.
A civil and environmental engineering associate professor has been leading discussions on the impacts of wildfire on soil and water quality.
Soil samples have been evaluated using spectrometry techniques to measure the concentrations of metals and synthetic chemicals commonly found in consumer products and industrial processes, which are difficult to break down in the environment.
Research indicates that most pollutants are concentrated within the top six inches of soil. Once this layer is removed, it is believed that no significant residual pollutants will remain.
However, further testing and data are necessary to confirm whether contamination risks have been eliminated, especially in hilly areas where pollutants may persist and be washed away by rainwater.
In addition to research on post-wildfire soil contamination, a UCLA professor is exploring ways for his research group to provide free soil testing for affected residents, helping communities assess and address potential hazards.
Professors of civil and environmental engineering, along with doctoral students, are collaborating with Heal the Bay to assess post-fire water quality. Recent testing after post-fire rainfall in Southern California has revealed elevated levels of lead, copper, and zinc in a stormwater channel.
The site lies within a watershed that has been affected by the fire, unlike another location further east, which experienced less fire impact.
The research team has been testing water contaminants, explicitly looking for metals and other substances in and around stormwater channels that originate from mountainous areas.
They also measured the levels of nutrients and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Notably, they found high bacteria levels near storm drains.
Additionally, phosphorus levels were elevated, contributing to increased nutrient concentrations in the area, which have resulted in persistent brown foam along the shoreline and heightened the risk of algal blooms.
A mechanical and aerospace engineering professor collaborated with a high school student to develop an AI-powered early wildfire detection system designed to detect the onset of a fire before smoke becomes visible.
The high school student said he felt compelled to create the SensoRyAI system after seeing the devastation of the 2018 Camp Fire. He was already working with the Orange County Fire Authority on an AI-powered prototype when he reached out to the UCLA professor specializing in the physics of fluid flows for insights on how flames and heat travel.
The collaboration resulted in a prototype authorized for field deployment by the OCFA and a co-authored paper published in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ Open Journal of Engineering. The team plans to conduct further field tests this year.
Another professor coordinated data reconnaissance efforts as part of National Science Foundation-funded programs that organize quick-response field teams.
These include Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance, Public Health Extreme Events Research, and Nearshore Extreme Events Reconnaissance.
These programs are coordinated by the CONVERGE Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado, Boulder, which supports the collection of perishable data following extreme events.
For a month following the fires, an electrical and computer engineering professor volunteered her time to teach daily math lessons to a group of fifth-grade students whose schools had been gravely affected by the fires.
Math classes covered a wide range of topics, including grade-level concepts such as fractions, as well as engaging math puzzles and interactive online math games designed to keep students motivated and engaged.
Parents of the affected children expressed deep appreciation for her enthusiasm and dedication, noting that her efforts offered a sense of normalcy and encouragement to young learners coping with the aftermath of the fires.
From assessing the removal of hazardous waste, toxic soil and debris to using AI in early fire detection, faculty and students at @UCLAengineering lend a helping hand. https://t.co/0QuAHQfQMX
— UCLA (@UCLA) March 19, 2025
In the wake of the Palisades fire, @UCLA Prof. Lara Dolecek of @ECE_UCLA volunteered to teach daily math lessons to 5th-grade students whose school had been destroyed, highlighting the power of education as a force for healing & continuity 👏 #WomensMonth https://t.co/gYMHwLcZ8e
— UCLA Samueli Engineering (@UCLAengineering) March 10, 2025
The LA fires have deeply impacted our city, & @UCLA is making sure we connect with our community. 💙💛 We have donated use of our UCLA Research Park for @fema & the @citylosangeles, and they have opened a Disaster Recovery Center, offering critical assistance to those affected. pic.twitter.com/TGaogOeWFc
— Julio Frenk (@UCLAchancellor) January 15, 2025
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