Campus Communications

UC Santa Cruz is impacted by the wildfires burning in Santa Cruz County and elsewhere in Northern California. Residents of the mountain communities surrounding UC Santa Cruz have been forced to evacuate their homes in the face of the fast-moving Lightning Complex Fire ignited a few days ago by a dry lightning storm.

This is not an evacuation order, but rather a warning to be prepared to evacuate.

As the conditions around Santa Cruz county worsen and the fires impacting our region continue to grow, we are now initiating several critical steps in our fire response.

I am now directing that all non-essential research operations at all Santa Cruz locations cease immediately. Please shut down all equipment as you would normally do for winter curtailment, secure chemicals in fire-safe storage, and secure lab notebooks and other irreplaceable items if possible.

We understand the stress that many of you may be experiencing; the addition of the fires on top of an already difficult year has been a challenge. Please know that we want to support you as you navigate these difficult times.

Today my heart is with all the members of our community for the challenges we face together. At this moment I am especially concerned for those impacted by the wildfires burning in Santa Cruz County and elsewhere in Northern California.

While instruction in summer classes continues, we understand the fear and disturbance that sudden evacuations can cause. We encourage everyone to be flexible as you consider how to continue instruction in these challenging times

We continue to closely track the wildfires impacting the county of Santa Cruz and the region. At this point, there are no active fires on campus properties in Santa Cruz County. However, conditions can change rapidly and we are being vigilant in our preparations. Air quality also remains a concern throughout the area.

Based on the poor air quality and the potential of a campus evacuation, we recommend that all non-essential on-campus research activities cease until the air quality improves and there is more clarity on the fire threat to the campus.

We continue to closely track the wildfires impacting the county of Santa Cruz and the region. At this point, there are no active fires on campus properties in Santa Cruz County. However, conditions can change rapidly and we are being vigilant in our preparations. Air quality also remains a concern throughout the area.