Malibu Fires and Pepperdine University: A History of Resilience
Pepperdine University, nestled between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is renowned for its scenic Malibu campus. However, this idyllic location also places it in an area prone to wildfires. Over the years, Pepperdine and the surrounding Malibu community have faced numerous fire incidents, demonstrating both vulnerability and remarkable resilience. This article explores the history of wildfires in Malibu, Pepperdine's experiences with these blazes, and the measures taken to protect the university and its students.
A History of Wildfires in Malibu
Malibu's history is intertwined with the threat of wildfires. The region's dry climate, dense vegetation, and strong winds create ideal conditions for fire to ignite and spread rapidly. As Dorothy Stotsenberg described in her 1950 book, “My Fifty Years in Malibu,” the 1970 “Wright Fire” caused immense devastation, destroying 103 homes and claiming 10 lives in Malibu Knolls, Malibu Road, and Serra Retreat.
The "Old Topanga Fire" of 1993 was a watershed moment in local wildfire history. This conflagration burned 16,800 acres, resulted in three civilian deaths, and destroyed 268 homes in Malibu, causing $219 million in damage. The fire prompted the creation of "Gumdrop," the Greater Malibu Disaster Recovery Project, by community leaders such as Lou Drobnick of Pepperdine University and Frank Brady of HRL. This initiative aimed to address the gaps in support for fire victims.
Other notable fires include:
- 10/14/1985: "Decker" fire in the Kanan/Decker Corridor, burning 6,600 acres.
- 11/2/1993: "Old Topanga Fire" in the Topanga Canyon Corridor, which at the time was "the largest deployment of firefighters in the history of California."
- 1/6/2003: "Pacific" fire, which began near Pacific Coast Highway and Broad Beach, burning 759 acres and damaging three homes.
- 1/8/2007: "Malibu Road" fire, which started at Malibu Bluffs State Park, burning 20 acres and destroying five homes.
These events illustrate the consistent threat that wildfires pose to the Malibu area.
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Pepperdine's Experiences with Fire
Pepperdine University is no stranger to the dangers of fire. The university has faced fire incidents in 1985, 1993, 1996, and 2007. In November, the Broad Fire ignited across from campus. On Dec. 9, the Franklin Fire erupted in Malibu Canyon. The Palisades Fire ignited in Pacific Palisades. Members of the Pepperdine and Malibu communities lost their homes and ways of life. The fall semester was cut short due to a fire and the beginning of the spring semester felt uncertain with the ignition of a second fire.
In 2007, the campus was threatened twice. In October, a blaze blackened many acres on campus, destroyed three university vehicles, and "burned lush plant life at the foot of the large cross at the campus entrance." A month later, another fire threatened the campus.
These experiences have shaped Pepperdine's approach to fire safety and preparedness.
Shelter-in-Place Protocol
During the Woolsey Fire in 2018, Pepperdine faced scrutiny for its decision to implement a shelter-in-place protocol. University President Andrew Benton stated that the buildings on campus were built to withstand fire and that evacuation could be more dangerous.
"When people get into a big hurry -- fire department, sheriff's department -- they move on instinct, and their instinct is to just get everybody out of harm's way and move them, move them, move them," Benton told students. "The question is, where do you go? How do you get there? What's there when you arrive, wherever it is you're going? We don't think that's best."
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This decision was met with mixed reactions. Some students, parents, and community members questioned whether sheltering in place was the best course of action, while others supported the university's decision. Shelly Ngo, an alumna of Pepperdine University and mother of a current student, said she supported the shelter-in-place decision.
"Students who had places to go were able to leave," Ngo tweeted. "Where do you think the university should have evacuated hundreds of students to? And how would they have transported them through grid-locked (Pacific Coast Highway) yesterday? And how would they have fed and housed them at this unknown place?"
Pepperdine officials maintain that their shelter-in-place protocol is reviewed regularly by the L.A. Fire Department and has kept students safe through other wildfire incidents. The university also clears brush annually at least 200 feet from buildings and uses fire-resistant materials in construction "whenever possible."
Fire Prevention and Preparedness Measures
Pepperdine University has implemented several measures to mitigate the risk of wildfires and protect the campus community:
- Brush Clearance: The university clears brush annually at least 200 feet from buildings to create defensible space.
- Fire-Resistant Materials: Buildings are constructed with fire-resistant materials "whenever possible."
- Campus Roads as Fire Breaks: Campus roads are designed to act as natural fire breaks.
- Shelter-in-Place Plan: A detailed shelter-in-place plan is in place and reviewed annually by the L.A. County Fire Department.
- Emergency Response Training: University Public Safety officers are cross-trained to handle brush fires and utilize the university's two fire trucks.
- Collaboration with Local Fire Department: Pepperdine offers to host the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Incident Command Post (ICP) on the Malibu campus for wildfires in the area.
- Monitoring Air Quality: The University’s EOC closely monitors the air quality at University campuses and takes proactive steps to advise the community, accordingly.
These measures, combined with the university's experience in past fire incidents, contribute to a comprehensive approach to wildfire preparedness.
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The Question of Location: Is Pepperdine in Malibu?
An interesting point of contention arises when discussing Pepperdine and Malibu: the university is technically located in unincorporated Los Angeles County, not within the city limits of Malibu. Despite this fact, the university is widely considered to be in Malibu.
The word "Malibu" has historically referred to a broader geographical area than the modern city limits. The Rancho Topanga Malibu Sequit, a Spanish ranch, encompassed a vast stretch of coastline, and the Chumash settlement of Humaliwo was located near the Malibu lagoon.
Therefore, while Pepperdine may not be within the City of Malibu, it is undoubtedly located in the area commonly known as Malibu.
A Legacy of Faith and Resilience
Pepperdine University's history is one of faith, resilience, and commitment to its students and the surrounding community. Founded in 1937 by George Pepperdine, the university has weathered numerous challenges, including the ever-present threat of wildfires.
Pepperdine had always exercised a spirit of generosity and charity, and was a man who understood himself as a steward and caretaker of the assets that God had entrusted to him. That sense of stewardship matured into a call of destiny when he observed the alarming rate at which Christian young men and women lost interest in their faith after going on to higher education.
Despite the risks, Pepperdine has remained steadfast in its dedication to providing a world-class education in a beautiful, albeit fire-prone, location. The university's commitment to fire safety, combined with its strong sense of community, ensures that it will continue to thrive for generations to come.
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