9.11.24 Update: Regional Wildfires and Air Quality

September 11, 2024

Dear Pitzer Campus Community and Families,

The Southern California wildfires continue to pose no threat or likelihood of evacuation orders for The Claremont Colleges. The Pitzer and Claremont Consortium Emergency Management teams continue to monitor the situation closely, including ongoing updates from state and county authorities on the four fires in the region. Details on each are available at CAL FIRE or Watch Duty.  None are in close proximity to or approaching campus. 

Air clarity and quality on campus today is improved as temperatures have dropped and winds have shifted smoke away from Claremont. Though cancellation of classroom activities is not warranted (read the indoor air quality details sent to the campus community by our Facilities team last night), we have suspended some outdoor activities such as pool use, and Pomona-Pitzer Athletics Sports Medicine staff monitor air quality data very closely to determine if outdoor practices and other intercollegiate athletic activities should be cancelled.

Visit Pitzer’s Emergency Preparedness web page to view current and recent communications on the fires, and information and instructions should any campus emergency occur. All current students, faculty, and staff receive real-time text, email, and phone alerts via the Everbridge mass communication app in every situation requiring timely communication of a serious, imminent, or continuing threat. Students may also use, and register their family members for, the LiveSafe app, which facilitates communication between students, employees, and Campus Safety. (Students: Download LiveSafe, select Pitzer College from the list that appears, and add your/your family members’ contact information.)

In the event of an emergency requiring campus evacuation, the College would coordinate with Consortium and city/county authorities. Notifications and updates for students, employees, and families would occur by the means listed above.

We hope this information is helpful, and please continue to watch the web page for further updates.

Sincerely,

Pitzer College Emergency Management Team