Los Angeles Wildfire Updates

Currently, there are no fires in proximity to the campus, which is located in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles. The campus is not impacted by current evacuation orders or warnings. Although the situation may change, L.A. County officials have determined no current threat to our campus. We also continually monitor the air quality on campus.

Otis continues to monitor the air quality of the area and alert our community. Daily updates are posted on our Los Angeles Wildfire Updates webpage. 

The South Coast Air Quality Management District offers an interactive map of air quality data and wildfire smoke and ash health safety tips on its website, including the Air Quality Index (AQI), a measure used to report daily air quality and its potential health effects.

While most people are unaffected by moderate AQI levels (51–100), sensitive groups face increasing risks as AQI rises, with health effects becoming more pronounced at unhealthy levels (151–200). Recommended actions for the community for AQIs in the unhealthy range and for sensitive groups include staying indoors, reducing or avoiding outdoor aerobic activity, and wearing an N95 or P100 mask while outside.

Yes, free N95 face masks are available in the lobby of the Ahmanson building and the Safety and Security Office. 

N95 masks are also available for free at all Los Angeles area public libraries. Visit https://lapl.org/branches to find your closest branch.

Yes, the campus is currently open. For the most current updates, please check our Los Angeles Wildfire Updates webpage, which will be updated promptly should circumstances change.

Yes, classes are currently being held as scheduled. However, classes transitioned to remote instruction using Zoom for the first week of spring semester (January 13-17). For the most current updates, please check the “Access and Instruction” tab on our Los Angeles Wildfire Updates webpage, which will be updated promptly should circumstances change. We will continue to directly notify students, faculty, and staff of any changes to the schedule or mode of instruction.

Most facilities are operating as usual or at a slightly reduced capacity during the week of January 13-17.. For the most current updates, please check the “Access and Instruction” tab on our Los Angeles Wildfire Updates webpage.  

Safety and Security, Housing, and Dining services remain fully operable. All meal plans are active. The Student Health and Wellness Center is available to any student for telehealth appointments (call 310-846-5738 to make an appointment). An up-to-date schedule for Labs, Shops, and Studios is posted at the link above.

Yes. Campus is open and all members of the Otis community are welcome to use our resources, including WiFi. Classrooms are open and students or faculty are welcome to use those or other on-campus spaces. See the “Access and Instruction” tab on our Los Angeles Wildfire Updates webpage for information about the specific on-campus facilities that are open during the week of January 13-17.

​​Students should contact their professors directly and in advance of the class meeting with academic questions or concerns. Students who anticipate travel issues or other challenges should contact the Office of Student Affairs at studentaffairs@otis.edu or 310-665-6960.

International Students must contact Alia Saeed (PDSO) if they will be unable to return when on-campus classes resume to ensure compliance with visa requirements. asaeed@otis.edu 310-846-2559.

Students can contact the One Stop at onestop@otis.edu or 310-665-6999 for information about applying for a support grant.

We have also established an Emergency Relief Fund to provide immediate financial assistance to members of the Otis College community affected by the fires. Your donation, no matter the size, will go directly to those in need, helping them recover during this challenging time. 

Otis College has an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and an Emergency Response Team that continues to assess campus operations and make decisions informed by current conditions. 

During any emergency the most urgent messages are sent via text message (SMS) and the LiveSafe app (), as well as through MyOtis, the College’s internal portal. 

During the current ongoing fires, the College is posting regular updates to our Los Angeles Wildfire Updates webpage.

Otis College Returns to In-Person Instruction January 21

Our campus remains safe and regional air quality has significantly improved. As a result, Otis will return to in-person instruction and normal work schedules beginning Tuesday, January 21, 2025, immediately following the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. 

In case of changes to air quality, it is recommended that members of the community have N95 masks. These are available for free in the Campus Safety Office and at all Los Angeles area public libraries. Visit https://lapl.org/branches to find the closest branch.

Details about the air filtration in campus buildings are included under the Campus Operations tab below.

Otis students should attend all scheduled on-campus classes in person beginning Tuesday, January 21. Additional information on classes is available on the Nest.

All campus facilities, including labs, shops, and studios, will operate on their regular schedule as of January 21.

Otis College remains safe and is not located in a warning or evacuation zone. However, In response to the wildfires that continue across Los Angeles County and their impact on regional air quality, the first week of our spring semester (January 13-17) has transitioned to remote instruction. 

As of today, L.A. County highly recommends wearing N95 or P100 masks when outside. Surgical masks do not provide sufficient protection. Free N95 masks are available in the Ahmanson lobby and the Campus Safety and Security Office.

Details about the air filtration in campus buildings are included under the Campus Operations tab below.

Metro has extended free fares for all bus and rail service through the weekend. Visit www.metro.net/ for details.

January 11, 2025 | 6:30 p.m.

Remote Instruction January 13-17

Otis College remains safe and is not located in a warning or evacuation zone. However, in response to the wildfires that continue across Los Angeles County and their impact on regional air quality, we have made the decision to transition the first week of our spring semester (January 13-17) to remote instruction. Students are encouraged to visit the Nest to access the Zoom links for their classes. Students who are unable to attend class should contact each of their faculty members. Faculty will support students in completing work asynchronously if they are able, and contacting faculty will ensure an excused absence.

Our campus remains open, and students may use classrooms should they require more private spaces to attend online classes or complete coursework. Campus security is available to open rooms if more private spaces are needed. Additionally, Elaine’s dining hall will be open, and our meal plans remain active for students living on campus or those coming to campus to utilize resources. Our emergency response team continues to assess campus operations and make decisions informed by current conditions. The safety of the Otis community remains our top priority.

Faculty, students, and staff are encouraged to review the sections below for additional details and guidance during this time.

January 10, 2025 | 5:45 p.m.

Otis College is Currently Open

Otis College remains safe and is not located in a warning or evacuation zone. There is no imminent threat or danger to our campus at this time. We continue to monitor air quality throughout the day.

Our Emergency Response Team continues to meet multiple times daily in order to make decisions in real time, given the dynamic nature of this situation. The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff are our top priority.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

Based on information on AQI (Air Quality Index), the area around Otis College is currently at 64 as of 5:45 p.m. today, which is considered a low “moderate” reading.

An AQI range of 50-100 means If you are unusually sensitive to particle pollution, you should consider reducing your activity levels or shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.

You can view a map with air quality levels.

January 10, 2025 | 11:40 a.m.

Otis College is Currently Open

Otis College remains safe and is not located in a warning or evacuation zone. There is no imminent threat or danger to our campus at this time. We continue to monitor air quality throughout the day. Our Emergency Response Team continues to meet multiple times daily in order to make decisions in real time, given the dynamic nature of this situation. The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff are our top priority.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

Based on information on AQI (Air Quality Index), the area around Otis College is currently at 98 as of 11:30AM today, which is considered a “moderate” reading.

An AQI range of 50-100 means If you are unusually sensitive to particle pollution, you should consider reducing your activity levels or shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors.

You can view a map with air quality levels.

January 8, 2025 | 3:30 p.m.

Otis College is currently safe during ongoing fires in Los Angeles County. There is no imminent danger or threat to campus and our operations continue as usual. We are monitoring the situation closely as well as air quality in our area and will share additional updates as they become available. 

Classes are still scheduled to begin on Monday, January 13. International Student Orientation will now take place Friday, January 10, and will begin with our regularly scheduled New Foundation and Transfer Student Orientation at 9:00 a.m. on campus in The Forum. An updated schedule can be found on our website. If students are moving into campus housing and would like to move in later than planned, they may email our housing staff who can be flexible with move-in times.

Air Quality: We are closely monitoring the air quality around the College. The current air quality around Otis College is at a moderate level. A map with air quality levels can be found here.

We have implemented the following measures to ensure the well-being of our students and staff:

• Ventilation Systems: Our facilities team is ensuring that air filtration systems are functioning at optimal levels to mitigate indoor air pollution.
• Health Monitoring: If any student feels that they are having a respiratory issue, please call or stop by the Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC), Ahmanson 1st floor, Room 107, 310-846-5738.