With firefighters responding to three fires at UC Santa Cruz over the past several weeks, I want to remind the campus community that wildfire poses a serious and potentially devastating threat to our campus.
Anyone who smells smoke or sees a fire should call 911 immediately.
The latest incident was a fire in a dumpster near Rachel Carson and Oakes colleges just before 1:30 a.m. today. The Santa Cruz Fire Department is investigating the cause, and anyone with information is encouraged to call 831-420-5280.
Under California law, “unlawfully causing a fire that recklessly sets fire to or burns or causes to be burned, any structure, forest land or property is a felony punishable with both imprisonment and fines.”
If you encounter first responders with lights or sirens activated, please yield and make way. Doing so will ensure they are able to respond to any call without delay.
Each year in California, wildland and vegetation fires destroy thousands of acres and hundreds of homes. Please remain vigilant to our current fire risk and take appropriate precautions.
Wildfire safety is a shared responsibility among students, staff, and faculty. For more information please visit our Wildfire Awareness webpage.
