UCLA Faces Criticism Over Delayed Response to California Wildfires

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is under fire from students and the broader community for its delayed response to the devastating wildfires that have engulfed parts of Los Angeles County. Chancellor Julio Frenk announced on Wednesday night that undergraduate classes would be canceled and graduate classes moved to remote instruction on Thursday and Friday due to the worsening air quality and safety concerns. However, many students criticized the university for not acting sooner.

As of early Thursday, the wildfires have claimed at least five lives, burned over 28,000 acres, and forced thousands of residents to evacuate. UCLA students took to TikTok to express their frustration, with videos capturing the thick smoke and hazardous conditions near campus. One TikTok user, @negativesmart, posted a video with the caption, “UCLA? More like university care less about (its students’ lungs).” Another user, @kennedyhayashi, filmed herself evacuating, stating, “POV: Evacuating [because] UCLA took back their words just a few hours after claiming we were ‘safe.’”

Chancellor Frenk acknowledged the challenges in a letter to the UCLA community, stating, “While there remains no immediate fire danger to our campus, given an expected change in wind patterns in the hours ahead, it is likely that the air quality in Westwood will worsen.” He emphasized that the university would continue to monitor conditions and adjust operations as needed.

Despite the announcement, many students felt the response was too late. TikTok videos from users like @jiwonapieceofme and @chelsealstone, which garnered hundreds of thousands of views, highlighted the proximity of the fires to campus and questioned why classes were not canceled earlier. Comments on these videos reflected widespread dissatisfaction, with one user writing, “The fact that UCLA didn’t cancel all classes is so irresponsible.”

UCLA Health facilities remained open and operational, providing critical care during the crisis. However, the university’s PreK-12 programs, including Geffen Academy and UCLA Lab School, were closed on Monday, Jan. 13, as a precaution. Employees were encouraged to work remotely with supervisor approval, and student housing and dining services continued to operate.

Chancellor Frenk praised the resilience of the UCLA community, particularly healthcare workers and support staff, who have been balancing their professional duties with personal challenges. “In times of crisis, we often see people at their best,” he wrote. “Let’s continue to stay safe, look out for one another, and mobilize our reservoirs of kindness.”

As the wildfires continue to rage, UCLA students and faculty are left grappling with the aftermath. The university’s delayed response has sparked a broader conversation about institutional accountability and the need for timely action in emergencies.