Updated: LA institutions issue statements in response to Southern California fires

POSTED ON Jan 10, 2025

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced on social media that firefighters from Mexico arrived at LAX to assist in battling the ongoing wildfires.

They will join over 14,000 personnel already on the front lines. “California is immensely grateful for our neighbors’ support in the fight against the wildfires in Los Angeles,” the governor stated.

Unfortunately, Southern California is experiencing critical fire weather conditions through Wednesday.

Life-threatening winds and dangerously low humidity are forecasted for much of the region, from Ventura to San Diego, which poses a significant risk for rapid fire spread. The strong winds are expected to increase fire activity.

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has announced that it is operating under an emergency status, with undergraduate and graduate classes being conducted remotely through Friday, January 17.

The University of Southern California (USC) states that its University Park and Health Sciences campuses are safe and not near any wildfires. Pasadena City College campuses (Colorado, Foothill, Jefferson) will remain open, with classes resuming on Monday, January 13.

Cal State University Los Angeles is also open. Some services may be offered remotely or may be modified. For updates on wind and fire conditions, please check.

Mount Saint Mary’s University has downgraded the mandatory evacuation zone for the Chalon Campus and its surrounding neighborhood to an evacuation warning zone. Although this is encouraging news, the Chalon Campus will remain closed for the time being. Remote instruction for classes is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 14, with in-person courses starting on January 21. Move-in for both campuses is scheduled for January 18-20.

On January 8, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that over 7,500 emergency personnel had been deployed to combat unprecedented wildfires in Southern California, which were fueled by dangerous winds and dry conditions.

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) announced plans to curtail campus operations, cancel undergraduate classes, and transition graduate courses to remote instruction for two days.

Chancellor Julio Frenk, who had just begun his term as the seventh chancellor of UCLA on January 1, 2025, expressed heartfelt sympathy to everyone affected in a message shared with the campus community.

In an update from the Office of the President at the University of Southern California (USC), Dr. Carol Folt, who is set to retire as president at the end of the academic year on July 1, 2025, expressed her sympathy for USC students, staff, faculty, and their loved ones impacted by the fires throughout Los Angeles County, which still face great uncertainty.

Pasadena City College has closed its campuses, suspended operations, and canceled classes through Sunday, January 12, due to the ongoing Eaton fire and its impact on the region.

In an announcement, Pasadena City College Superintendent/President, José A. Gómez reported that some of the community college’s friends and colleagues lost their homes. Many were forced to relocate. “This catastrophe has left us heartbroken, but it has also deepened our resolve to support our community,” he wrote.

Safe spaces and emergency resources are available at several locations, including the Pasadena Convention Center, Westwood Recreation Center, Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, and the Sepulveda Recreation Center.

Resources for safety and care during emergencies include the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, California Fire Foundation’s Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, 211 LA County, and PCC’s Mental Health & Wellness Services Crisis Text Lines.

Cal State University Los Angeles President Berenecea Johnson Eanes announced that Cal State LA would extend remote classes and activities through the weekend, with the first “normal” in-person day of instruction and operations scheduled for Monday, January 13.

Mount Saint Mary’s University Los Angeles, specifically the Chalon Campus and the Hollywood Studios Campus, announced closures on Thursday and Friday, January 9 and 10. However, the Doheny Campus will continue normal operations, and classes are now set to begin on Tuesday, January 14.

The Los Angeles Lakers shared a heartfelt message: “We’re with you, LA!” They extend their warm appreciation to the brave first responders and everyone uniting in these challenging times.