Campus Operations FAQ about L.A. Wildfires

USC is not located near the existing wildfires and our USC campuses are not impacted by current evacuation orders. 

The USC campuses are adjacent to downtown Los Angeles. The University Park Campus is located near “Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum” on the LA Times map of active wildfires. The Health Sciences Campus is south of Lincoln Heights, using the “Keck Hospital of USC” for location identification.

The university is monitoring air quality in the Los Angeles region for both the University Park Campus and Health Sciences Campus. To stay updated please visit the Air Quality Index page on the USC Environmental Health and Safety website or visit the South Coast Air Quality Management District website or download their mobile app:  http://www.aqmd.gov/mobileapp.

The direction and velocity of winds may change quickly, directly impacting air quality.

Air quality index at 101 or higher has a higher level of impact on groups with sensitive health conditions, including COPD, asthma, heart conditions; individuals who are pregnant; older individuals; and children.

Buildings at both USC campuses upgraded the HVAC systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently all buildings (with the exception of research buildings that do not allow recirculated air) ventilation setpoints have been adjusted so that the amount of outside air has been minimized while still meeting local building and ventilation codes. There may be a mild smoke odor within buildings as the airflow process filters air that comes in when people open the doors to enter and exit.

Employees who are working outdoors for extended periods of time can be provided N95 personal protective equipment, please check with your supervisor. Departments can obtain masks by contacting ehs@usc.edu.

The most important thing you can do is to actively monitor the air quality and minimize your time outdoors during periods of time when the air quality index is high.

• Wearing an N95 mask outdoors can reduce your exposure to particulate matter when the air quality index is high.
• Limit physical exertion (refrain from outdoor exercise) when the air quality is poor or hazardous.
• Portable air cleaners can be effective in reducing indoor pollutants, if you have one available to you.

Campus remains open and the spring semester will start on Monday, January 13, 2025 as planned, with in-person classes to be held fully indoors until the current fire situation has abated.

Take care of yourself and your loved ones; your safety and wellbeing are the most important priorities.

We realize that many students – especially those with families in the Los Angeles area – may have difficulty attending class in-person, or those with underlying health or respiratory issues may prefer to return to campus later next week. Those students should contact appropriate faculty members who are being asked to maintain the greatest flexibility possible.

The Campus Support and Wellbeing (CSI) team may be able to help you navigate to resource offices for additional help. Counseling and Mental Health Services in USC Student Health is also available to you.

Students with sensitive health conditions (asthma, COPD, heart conditions) that are affected by air quality may be temporarily relocated to an alternate environment by USC Housing, (space is limited). Fill out this form to initiate a review.

We have also established a Wildfire and Air Quality hotline, 213-740-6291, to help answer questions or email: campushealth@usc.edu. Please remember to check our emergency website for regular updates.