LA County

Wildfires and Windstorms

This page provides updates about the status regarding the Los Angeles fires that are effecting our community.

For a list of resources and evacuation zones visit: fire.ca.gov

 

Woodbury University Current Status

Click the boxes to expand the FAQ questions, last updated on January 22nd 2025.

The LA County fires are miles away and currently poses no threat to the Woodbury campus. Please refer to the Los Angeles County incident response map for the most recent update.

You can visit the South Coast Air Quality Management District website for current air quality information. Depending on air quality, you may consider limiting exposure outside. You can also wear a highly protective mask for an additional layer of protection. Masks are available at the following locations on campus:

  • Whitten Center
  • Design Center, first floor
  • Miller Hall, first floor
  • School of Business .Atrium
  • School of Architecture, Ahmanson

In-person classes will resume on Tuesday, January 21. This has been a difficult time for so many. Please know that we are here to support you.

Students: If you have been personally affected by a mandatory evacuation or need additional accommodations for remote access to your courses at this time, we ask you to reach out to the CARE Team at [email protected]by January 22 to ensure you have a plan in place. Students with new or existing medical or disability support and accommodations needs can contact the Office of Disabilities and Accessibility Services at [email protected] or 818-394-3345.

Employees: If you have been personally affected by a mandatory evacuation or need additional accommodations or support, we encourage you to reach out to your dean or supervisor as soon as possible to confirm arrangements. Any employee in need of support or a medical accommodation can contact Human Resources at our Redlands campus at 909-748-8040 or by email at [email protected].

Students who wish to further delay their move-in to a later date should contact [email protected].

To help support Redlands and Woodbury students, faculty, staff, and their families affected by the fires and storms by making a gift to our Emergency Relief Fund. Funds will be used to help provide food and safe shelter as the crisis continues and after the damage is done. 

You can apply for assistance by visiting and completing the online application here.

Temporary emergency housing support options are available at Woodbury and our Redlands campuses.

    • For Woodbury, please contact our Student Affairs team for support at [email protected].
    • For Redlands, please contact our Redlands Student Affairs on-call team via Public Safety at (909) 748-8888.

Yes, mental health and well-being resources are available to community members in need of assistance.

  • Students: Please reach out to the Counseling Center for same-day urgent appointments by calling 909-748-8108 or emailing [email protected]. You can also utilize the TimelyCare app for 24/7 TalkNow virtual medical or mental health appointments or contact the 24/7 Crisis Line at 909-748-8960. 
  • Faculty/Staff: The organizations listed through this link offer support to those affected by the disaster, which includes locating and receiving aid and emotional support resources. Additional resources are available through the University’s Employee Assistance and Advocacy Program. 

Students: For academic accommodations support, please contact Carrie Watts ([email protected]). Students are encouraged to communicate directly with your professors if windstorms or fires impact your ability to meet during your scheduled time.

Employees: Any employee in need of support or a medical accommodation can contact Human Resources at our Redlands campus at 909-748-8040 or by email at [email protected].

Yes, the Food Pantry is open 8 am – 8 pm in the Whitten Center.

You can reach the 24/7 On-call Student Affairs staff by contacting Campus Safety at 818-252-5208.

If Woodbury falls under an evacuation order, we have clear protocols for communication, transportation, and relocation to a safe location. Our priority is the well-being of our community, and we are prepared to act swiftly and efficiently should an evacuation be necessary.

A Major Disaster Declaration has also been issued for the LA fire evacuation zones, enabling residents and businesses to apply for federal relief, including temporary displacement assistance, funding for personal items, and grants for essentials like medical bills. Apply at:

Update: January 16, 2025


Dear Students:

We want to thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate the challenges brought on by the LA County fires. Your safety and well-being continue to be our highest priorities, and every decision has been guided by a commitment to protecting our community.

The Palisades and Eaton fires remain miles away from campus, containment efforts in affected areas are progressing, and air quality remains good. As a result, we are pleased to announce that in-person classes will resume on Tuesday, January 21.

This has been a difficult time for so many. The fires and their devastation have impacted our broader community and even some of our own. Please know that we are here to support you. If you have been personally affected by a mandatory evacuation or need additional accommodations for remote access to your courses at this time, we ask you to reach out to the CARE Team at [email protected] by January 22 to ensure you have a plan in place. Students with new or existing medical or disability support and accommodations needs can contact the Office of Disabilities and Accessibility Services at [email protected] or 818-394-3345.

For those seeking emotional or mental health support, counseling services are available through the TimelyCare app, which offers 24/7 TalkNow virtual medical or mental health appointments, or contact the 24/7 Crisis Line at 909-748-8960. We urge you to utilize these resources and lean on the strength of our campus community.

We look forward to welcoming you back to campus and seeing the vibrant energy of classes and campus life return. In the face of so much devastation, your resilience and care for one another have been truly inspiring. This unwavering sense of community truly defines Woodbury and makes it such a remarkable place.

As we move forward, we will continue to support each other and draw strength from our shared experiences. Thank you for standing strong and trusting that we are working hard to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone.

Update: January 14, 2025


We want to reassure the Woodbury community that the fires remain miles away and pose no threat to the Woodbury campus, and our air quality is currently safe. The University continues to operate business as usual. Our hearts are with those impacted by the fires, including our colleagues at the University of Redlands.

You can find regular updates and resources on our website: https://woodbury.edu/la-fires/.

Update: January 10, 2025


We continue to monitor the impact of the windstorms across Southern California and the devastating wildfires in LA County. While the fires remain miles away and still pose no threat to the Woodbury campus, unpredictable winds and air quality remain a concern.

Classes will begin as planned on January 13. However, in order to prioritize the health and safety of our community, we will begin the semester in a highly flexible hybrid format. This remains a precautionary measure that is based on ensuring the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff. We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide daily updates.

Your faculty members will communicate with you directly regarding options for attending classes in person or how to access the class if you prefer to attend online. In every case, remote instruction will be an option. In rare instances, a class may need to be canceled. If that is the case, please know that your faculty will put a plan in place to ensure you achieve all the learning outcomes of your course.

  • Student residential move-in will proceed as planned on Friday, January 10, for new students and, Saturday, January 11, and Sunday, January 12, for returning students. Students who wish to delay their move-in to a later date will be accommodated by emailing [email protected].
  • Dining services will reopen on Sunday, January 12, as planned and will operate as usual.
  • Student Orientation will move into an online format. New students scheduled for orientation have received information about their classes and schedules and will be provided additional information accordingly.
  • Students with new or existing medical or disability support and accommodations needs can contact the Office of Disabilities and Accessibility Services at [email protected] and/or at (818) 394-3345.
  • Some of the Welcome Week student community and resource events and programs will be held indoors, and updates will be provided regarding any scheduling changes.

Update on the Start of the New Semester

January 9, 2025

Students,

As we continue to monitor the impact of the windstorms across Southern California and the devastating wildfires in LA County, your safety remains our top priority. Every decision we’ve made this week has been centered on protecting the safety, health, and well-being of our university community.

The devastation seen across LA County is heartbreaking, and we are closely monitoring available information. While the fires remain miles away and pose no threat to the Woodbury campus, unpredictable winds and air quality remain a concern.

Classes will begin as planned on January 13. However, in order to prioritize the health and safety of our community, we will begin the semester in a highly flexible hybrid format. This remains a precautionary measure that is based on ensuring the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff. We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide daily updates.

Your faculty members will communicate with you directly regarding options for attending classes in person or how to access the class if you prefer to attend online. In every case, remote instruction will be an option. In rare instances, a class may need to be canceled. If that is the case, please know that your faculty will put a plan in place to ensure you achieve all the learning outcomes of your course.

  • Student residential move-in will proceed as planned on Friday, January 10, for new students and, Saturday, January 11, and Sunday, January 12, for returning students. Students who wish to delay their move-in to a later date will be accommodated by emailing [email protected].
  • Dining services will reopen on Sunday, January 12, as planned and will operate as usual.
  • Student Orientation will move into an online format. New students scheduled for orientation have received information about their classes and schedules and will be provided additional information accordingly.
  • Students with new or existing medical or disability support and accommodations needs can contact the Office of Disabilities and Accessibility Services at [email protected] and/or at (818) 394-3345.
  • Some of the Welcome Week student community and resource events and programs will be held indoors, and updates will be provided regarding any scheduling changes.

Additional Resources

We understand that many of you are affected by the local wildfires, and we sincerely hope you and your families are staying safe.

  • If you are impacted by evacuation orders in LA County, we are here to help and provide support. Temporary emergency housing support options are available at Woodbury and our Redlands campuses.
    • For Woodbury, please contact our Student Affairs team for support at [email protected].
    • For Redlands, please contact our Redlands Student Affairs on-call team via Public Safety at (909) 748-8888.
  • The organizations listed through this link  California Wildfires Emergency Shelters and Resources (EAP).pdf offer support to those affected by the disaster, which includes locating and receiving emotional support resources.
  • Please reach out to the Counseling Center for same-day urgent appointments by calling 909-748-8108 or emailing [email protected].    
  • You can also utilize the TimelyCare app for 24/7 TalkNow virtual medical or mental health appointments or contact the 24/7 Crisis Line at 909-748-8960. 
  • The Counseling Center will be hosting a virtual support group tomorrow for students, faculty, and staff impacted directly or indirectly by the fires (Friday 1/10/25) at 4:00 p.m. at this link: https://uredlands.zoom.us/my/mattgragg Join us to lean into community support together. 
  • The campus food pantry is available to Woodbury community members in need of assistance, providing support during this challenging time. Located in the Whitten Center, the food pantry will be open next week from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • Students experiencing challenges at this time impacting them personally or academically are also encouraged to reach out to the CARE Team at [email protected] for support.

A Major Disaster Declaration has also been issued for the LA fire evacuation zones, enabling residents and businesses to apply for federal relief, including temporary displacement assistance, funding for personal items, and grants for essentials like medical bills. Apply at:

We understand this is a difficult time for our community, and our hearts and thoughts are with everyone who may be directly affected by the windstorms and fires. 

Please continue to check your Woodbury email and ensure that your contact information is current in the AlertMedia system to receive timely notifications. We will share further information later today regarding updates on the return to campus. You can also review the University’s most recent updates on our dedicated web page.

We also encourage you to stay informed by following the latest updates from local authorities.

Website:Cal Fire Current Emergency Incidents  Incidents | CAL FIRE  

Website: Palisades Fire | CAL FIRE  

Website: Hurst Fire | CAL FIRE  

Website: Eaton Fire | CAL FIRE  

Website: Woodley Fire https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/8/woodley-fire  

X:https://www.twitter.com/LACOFD  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LACoFD  

Update January 9, 2025


As we continue to monitor the impact of the windstorms and devastating wildfires in LA County, the safety and well-being of the Woodbury community remains our highest priority. The Woodbury campus will remain closed through Friday, January 10, 2025. This precautionary measure is based on ensuring the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff.

Students who are expecting to move in between Friday, January 10 and Sunday, January 12 may move in as planned. All non-essential staff will work remotely.  We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide daily updates.

Update January 8, 2025


The devastation seen across LA County is heartbreaking, and we are closely monitoring available information.  While the fires remain miles away and pose no immediate threat to the Woodbury campus. unpredictable winds and air quality remain a concern.  As a result, the Woodbury campus will remain closed through Thursday, January 9, 2025. This precautionary measure is based on ensuring the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff. All non-essential staff will work remotely.  We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide daily updates.

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