Late last month, California’s most costly disaster blazed through the dry lands of Southern California from the Santa Barbara County to the U.S. Mexican border. Eight separate wildfires swept through southern California and annihilated thousands of homes and forced more than 500,000 residents in the San Diego County alone to flee their homes and seek refuge in safer areas. The fires demolished over 500,000 acres of land and 2,100 homes in the process. Counties that were affected include San Diego County, Orange County, Ventura County and San Bernardino County. The estimated damage costs amounted to over $1 billion and continue to increase as authorities further assessed the situation.

Students at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) found themselves caught amongst the wildfire devastations. “It was like breathing in dust,” UCSD student and ’07 graduate Jennifer Lien said. “The smoke was so thick that it was hard to just be outside, so everyone stayed inside.” Because of the danger of the wildfires, UCSD authorities issued an evacuation statement, dismissing students from classes and postponing assignments and examinations for the safety and consideration of faculty staff and students.

More than 3,000 UCSD students joined the Facebook group “UCSD Firestorm 2007-Join and Spread the News” to get news updates and post events, such as wildfire relief food drives. Further effort to bring the community together against the disaster included participation in organizations such as the Los Angeles Times Family Fund and KTLA Charities Fire Relief Campaign and American Red Cross.

On Oct. 25, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Penny Rue posted an informative update on the UCSD main website, urging the community to cooperate under these harsh times. “Everyone’s patience and cooperation will be needed as the campus comes up to speed next week,” Rue wrote. “We are confident that students, faculty and staff will work together to overcome the inevitable problems as a community.”

Although classes resumed Oct. 29 and things at UCSD are said to be back to normal, many students are trying to make up a week’s worth of assignments. “Only some of the work was exempted, but for the most part, it was more of a burden than a boon,” UCSD student and ’06 graduate Ron Kau said. “All the classes seem to be behind, and we continuously have loads of work just to catch up.” Other students look back at disastrous events as unforgettable experiences to learn from. “I don’t think the fires will be forgotten for a long time,” UCSD student and ’07 graduate Ben Reiter said. “This experience has made us realize the spontaneity of disasters anywhere and the damages they can cause.”