ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF AT UC SAN DIEGO (Including UC San Diego Health and Scripps Institution of Oceanography)
Valley Fire in San Diego County
The health and safety of our students, staff and faculty at UC San Diego always is our top priority. As we continue to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of members of our campus community also are experiencing the stress and devastating impacts of the current Valley fire outbreak in the eastern part of San Diego County. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.
No Expected Impact to Campus
At this time, the UC San Diego campus is not in immediate danger and remains open under our current Return to Learn guidelines. The UC San Diego Health System hospitals and clinics also are operating normally. We are closely monitoring the progression of the fire and are prepared to quickly respond if the situation changes.
Potential impacts of the current Valley fire could include power outages in communities outside of the immediate fire area. UC San Diego facilities have not been affected by any outages as a result of the Valley fire, and we do not anticipate any future impacts. Should the university experience any disruption to electricity on campus, our Central Utilities Plant is equipped to “isolate” the campus from the SDG&E grid and generate our own power to support critical campus functions.
Help Is Available
We recognize that impacted members of our community need our support as they navigate the rapidly evolving and extreme conditions that this fire has created. We also are sensitive to the situations faced by our colleagues throughout the UC system, many of whom are dealing with significant wildfire concerns in their communities at this time as well.
Access to emergency resources from UC’s benefits plans is available to UC San Diego faculty and staff on UCnet, where you’ll find details about support and accommodations such as emergency supplies of essential prescriptions, to loans from your voluntary retirement savings plan.
Natural disasters such as fire can take an emotional toll. Confidential emotional support and resources are available through our UC San Diego Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, for faculty and staff. Colleagues at UC San Diego Health may access these resources through the LiveandWorkWell program. These resources are available regardless of whether you are enrolled in UC benefits.
Locally, ReadySanDiego offers helpful information about how to prepare for an emergency. There is also helpful information about dealing with wildfire smoke from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
If you need extra assistance with your health benefits, please contact your plan directly. Customer service representatives will do their best to offer the help you need as quickly as possible.
For up-to-date information on the fires, evacuation centers and emergency response resources, visit the San Diego County Emergency website at http://sdcountyemergency.com.
To our colleagues and friends who are experiencing the traumatic consequences and heartbreaking losses of the Valley fire, know that your campus community stands together to support you during this time. Stay safe, Tritons.
Pradeep K. Khosla Chancellor
University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093
