December 16, 2024
We are incredibly grateful.
Pepperdine University on X, posting photos of the Franklin Fire blazing over the weekend in the Malibu area.
Why It Matters: The Franklin Fire, which started on December 9th, prompted evacuation orders across Malibu, yet students at Pepperdine University remained in place as flames neared the campus. Why? The school’s design, plus its hilltop location near the Pacific Ocean and its limited road access. Michael Friel, the university’s senior director of Communications and Public Relations, says the campus was built with fire safety as a high priority: “Our buildings feature fire-resistant materials and irrigation systems that protect the surrounding landscape. Additionally, we maintain defensible space around campus structures and have dedicated water reservoirs for firefighting.”
While locals debate the pushback against evacuation orders, the university’s “fire-resistant” design seemed to stand strong. Thousands of residents, including celebrities such as Dick Van Dyke and Cher, left their homes. The Franklin Fire has now burned more than 4,000 acres and is about 60% contained. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Read More: Why Pepperdine University doesn’t evacuate students, even when flames are close to campus (CNN)
Image Credit: Pepperdine University
by Stephanie Wagner, based in Florida
