UCLA's 46,000-student campus — located near the Palisades fire escapes — is on edge and everything is out between the bad air quality and the university's decision to move classes online this week.
UCLA officials said Sunday there was no danger at the Westwood campus. But as the fire approached Brentwood, the university sent out notices putting students on alert, advising them to “stay alert and be prepared to evacuate” if conditions change.
Chancellor Julio Frenk, who took office this month, has been posting video statements on Instagram and X to encourage the UCLA community to be strong.
“We continue to monitor the situation very closely and have plans in place for any eventuality,” Frenk wrote on Instagram on Sunday. “Currently there is no evacuation order or warning in our center. But I know that many of us face real challenges. There continues to be much uncertainty and fear about the future. There are concerns about air quality. There is a lot of concern about homes.”
UCLA has made a plan to bus students off-site — about 14,000 who live at the college — if fire authorities issue a mandatory evacuation order.
By Sunday, it seems that many students had made up their own minds.
The usually bustling Dickson Court next to Royce Hall was empty except for a few visitors and locals walking their dogs. Many dining halls are closed. “The Hill,” the northwest section of campus where the dormitories are concentrated, was eerily quiet during the second week of spring quarter, except for the sound of students rushing to leave.
UCLA senior Elliott Cho walks out of his dorm room Jan. 12, 2025. “It's not safe to be here because of the air quality,” Cho said.
(Carlin Stiehl/For the Times)
At a dormitory along De Neve Drive, students stand in the street with packed bags and bright yellow strollers, waiting for parents, Lyfts and Ubers to take them to airports, friends' homes in Northern California or out of state. The scene is similar to the day of entry or exit instead of the first quarter of winter.
“Almost everyone is gone,” said Titi Olotu, who got into a car and took her belongings back home to Sacramento while classes were held remotely until at least Friday.
Olotu first left his dormitory at Olympic Hall amid smoky conditions on Thursday to live with an aunt near East LA. He returned to school on Sunday to pick up his passport and other documents.
“I was probably one of the last to officially leave,” said Olotu, a second-year biology major. He took to TikTok with his videos criticizing UCLA for staying open to classes on campus Wednesday, the day after the Palisades fire — about 24,000 acres and 11% contained by Sunday — broke out.
“I wish things were done better than ever,” said Olotu.
The few students who remain on campus are often resident assistants – who work in dormitories for free accommodation and food and other benefits – and international students whose families are far away.
In the Saxon Suites residence hall, Tommy Contreras decided to stay because of his responsibilities as a resident assistant and as a representative of the Undergraduate Students Assn.
UCLA's Rieber Court on Jan. 12, 2025.
(Carlin Stiehl/For the Times)
“It's a ghost town,” said Contreras, who estimated that about 10 students remained on Sunday out of the 120 he and a colleague were guarding in part of their residence hall.
“At least thousands are gone,” said Contreras, a third-year political science and public affairs student. She has been working with student government representatives to collect donations for the Dream Center Foundation, a charity group. “I was on campus and yesterday I saw one other person.”
Late last week, Contreras said, he could watch the Palisades fire from his home. He was relieved now that the flame was no longer in his eyes, he said.
“We are happy that UCLA is working with us. For example, the front desks have masks and the university has been telling us that we need to go to class remotely,” she said. “However, it was difficult. There are people who have asthma and need air purifiers. We had days when the ground was dark and ash was coming from the sky. But we are one UCLA community that works together. “
Evan Li and Matthew Li, unrelated roommates who live in an apartment south of the campus, decided to stick around. On Sunday afternoon, they played a game of horse on the basketball courts near De Neve Drive while nearby students scrambled to escape.
“I don't think the fire is dangerous for us,” said Evan Li, a senior studying computer science and applied mathematics. “Even home is far away if I try to go there now.” His family is in Toronto.
Matthew Li, a senior majoring in neuroscience, said his mother in Sacramento called him to discuss coming home. But he said last-minute flights are more expensive, and he also thought the risk was not immediate.
“I think we will be back to normal soon,” said Matthew Li.
In the event of a forced evacuation, UCLA said the meeting locations will be Pauley Pavilion and the Tipuana Apartments, where the university will provide transportation to other housing. Communications will include announcements via Bruin Alert.
UCLA has not disclosed where the students will end up if they are expelled.
Sophomore Reia Uchiumi, left, and senior Ariel Tan walk out of the UCLA dormitory.
(Carlin Stiehl/For the Times)
In a statement sent to the Times, university administrators said “the safety and well-being of all Bruins remains our top priority” and that its Office of Emergency Management has “identified several appropriate locations” for potential evacuees and “will determine specific locations based on student and operational needs.”
“We have checked all the students studying in the houses under the university and in the Westwood area and we are ready to move and accommodate any students who have indicated that they need temporary housing,” said the statement.
“In the event of an evacuation, international students, and any students or staff who require accommodation, will be provided with accommodation, meals, utilities and wi-fi at an off-site location, free of charge,” an FAQ on the university's website said. said.
