Southern California Wildfires Impact Caltech Community
The Caltech community is responding to a natural disaster of historic scale as several wildfires continue to impact Southern California, including the Eaton fire and the Palisades fire. Many staff, faculty, postdocs, students, and their families have experienced significant losses: More than 250 individuals and families across campus and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have lost their homes to the fires, while more than 1,800 remain temporarily displaced due to evacuation orders; lack of working power, gas, and/or safe water; and other circumstances.
"Words seem inadequate to capture the scale of the devastation," says Caltech President Thomas F. Rosenbaum. "So many of our campus and JPL colleagues have seen their homes go up in flames, losing not only their possessions but the material links to their past. Even more have been uprooted, not knowing when and if they can return. The Caltech community has responded with compassion and generosity, seeking to help each other and working heroically to permit Caltech and JPL to resume their fundamental missions of learning and discovery. We are in this for the long term, and the closeness of our community gives us hope for the future."
The high winds that preceded the fires and ultimately swept embers along the foothill communities several miles north of campus also felled or damaged several trees across campus grounds. The Student Health Services building on Arden Road was impacted when a tree fell on the building entryway. The fires themselves, however, did not reach the campus or Lab grounds or buildings.
"The impact of these fires has been immense, and my thoughts continue to be with everyone who has been affected by this tragedy," says Laurie Leshin (PhD '95), director of JPL, Caltech vice president, and the Bren Professor of Geochemistry and Planetary Science. "Our extraordinary teams have gone above and beyond to continue critical operations and mission activities; keep our facilities safe while helping local authorities protect surrounding communities; and identify ways to provide our employees with assistance during this difficult time. For these efforts and so much more, I'm beyond grateful to our JPL and Caltech community, and I know that we will come through this together."
On campus, classes were canceled beginning Wednesday, January 8, and resumed on Monday, January 13, with options for remote learning for those impacted by the fires. A return to full in-person instruction is planned for Tuesday, January 21.
Campus staff, some of whom were personally displaced by the wind and firestorms, have worked around the clock since the windstorm began to support students who were in residence and to ensure that the grounds remained free of debris and other hazards. In response to concerns about the effects of wildfire smoke on campus, the Institute has continued to monitor indoor air quality and has upgraded air filters, added in-room air purifiers, and taken all available steps to limit the circulation of external air in buildings. High-quality masks are available for pickup at the Caltech Store for all Caltech community members. In addition, a campus air quality monitoring station, located on the roof of Caltech Hall, continues to provide live air quality data at breathe.caltech.edu.
In the face of this crisis, Institute leadership, students, postdocs, staff, and faculty moved quickly to support those affected. Over the past week, the Institute established a disaster relief fund and an emergency housing working group, and has supported a grassroots donation drive organized by the Caltech Postdoctoral Association and Graduate Student Council. Furthermore, individual community members have enacted countless acts of generosity: offering their homes as refuge to displaced colleagues, starting donation funds for families who lost everything, and sharing necessities like water, masks, air purifiers, and personal items.
The Caltech and JPL Disaster Relief Fund, which was launched Friday, January 10, has already received more than $2 million in commitments from more than 2,000 donors. All proceeds of the fund—100 percent of the dollars raised—will be directed to members of the Caltech community whose lives have been impacted by this tragedy, whether they have lost their homes or are experiencing other hardships. All members of the Caltech community, including students, postdocs, faculty, and staff from campus and JPL will be eligible for support.
In the coming weeks, the Institute will work to tell the stories of resilience, fortitude, and community support experienced during this disaster. If you or someone you know would like to share your story or recognize a Caltech community member who has gone above and beyond during this difficult time, please email today@caltech.edu.
For the latest Institute updates regarding the fires and for access to resources and FAQs, visit caltech.edu/fire.