HMC is Open for Normal Operations During the Wildfire Situation

Harvey Mudd College’s campus is open and operating normally. Spring semester begins Tuesday, Jan. 21, with classes meeting in person. 

Although wildfires continue to impact the greater Los Angeles area, they are located far from Harvey Mudd College’s campus in Claremont. While there is no immediate danger to the campus, we continue to monitor the situation. 

The fires have caused widespread damage, disruption and uncertainty, affecting not only the physical environment, but also the emotional and mental wellbeing of many, including our faculty, staff, students and families living in the impacted areas. The safety and welfare of every member of the Harvey Mudd College community remain our highest priority during this difficult time.

For members of our community who are directly impacted, whether through evacuation orders, property damage, or concerns for family and loved ones—including those serving as firefighters and emergency personnel in affected areas—please know that we are here to support you.

Residence Hall Information

All residence halls will be open beginning at 8 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 19, for students to move in. 

If you or your student needs to request an early arrival, please email ResLife@hmc.edu. Residence Life staff, athletes, and sophomore retreat participants have been automatically added to the early arrival list. More information is available on the Residence Halls Opening and Closing information page. 

Travel Information

As of Jan. 13, all major airports in the Greater Los Angeles area are operating normally. We encourage students and families traveling to campus from outside the area to check with your airline and the airport to which you are traveling and continue to monitor the situation as your travel date approaches. While the fires are not likely to impact local airports, strong Santa Ana wind conditions as well as blowing smoke could impact air travel. 

• Los Angeles International Airport
• Hollywood Burbank Airport
• John Wayne Airport
• Ontario International Airport 

Hotel Information

Given the number of people displaced by the fires and evacuation orders, some local area hotels could have more limited room availability than usual. We encourage you to make your reservations as soon as possible. For information on local hotels, please visit the Parents section of our website. 

Regional and Campus Air Quality

We continue to monitor the air quality on campus and will modify and enhance our responses, as necessary. 

• To view a map of current air quality conditions in the Southern California area, visit the South Coast AQMD website. In addition, HMC has deployed a number of air quality monitors on campus and in some buildings, which can be viewed using the Purple Air website. 
• HMC has facemasks available in the Office of Facilities and Maintenance and the Office of Student Affairs. Please stop by the facilities and maintenance office located in the basement of the Platt Campus Center or the student affairs office located on the east side of Platt Campus Center from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. if you are interested in picking up KN95 or N95 masks to voluntarily wear while on campus.
• Students who have medical conditions that can be aggravated by poor air quality are encouraged to contact the Office of Accessible Education in the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) to share your concerns and request assistance. 

Wildfire Information

• CalFire provides updated information on each of the current wildfires.
• The Watch Duty App provides real-time updates about local conditions, emergency alerts, and evacuation notices during natural disasters. Download the app or go directly to the website at Watch Duty to stay informed and connected. To monitor the situation on campus, select Los Angeles County if prompted and enter the main campus address: 301 Platt Boulevard, Claremont, CA  91711.  

Emotional Support and Mental Health Assistance 

• Support for students is available through staff in the Division of Student Affairs (DSA), as well as our Chaplains and counselors from TimelyCare. 
• Faculty and staff may access Optum Care’s 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by calling 800.234.5465. This service offers confidential support and access to mental health professionals to help you navigate challenging situations. You also can visit www.liveandworkwell.com and use the access code: claremontcolleges to access additional resources available through EAP/Optum Care.

Community Support 

• The American Red Cross provides information and resources for disaster relief and assistance in your area.
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may offer financial assistance, housing support, and other resources for those affected by the declared natural disaster. Visit www.fema.gov for more information or call 800.621.FEMA (3362).

Financial Assistance 

• Through TIAA, employees may be eligible for an emergency hardship withdrawal or loan from their 403(b) account. For assistance, contact Evelin Mairen, Senior Benefits Administrator at TCCS Human Resources, at 909.607.3780 or via email at evelin.mairen@claremont.edu.
• Students who need assistance should reach out to staff in the Division of Student Affairs. 

TCCS Evacuation Plan

In the unlikely event of a disaster that necessitates the evacuation of The Claremont Colleges, Campus Safety maintains a plan to ensure the safety and well-being of the entire community. This Mass Evacuation Plan covers the following campuses: Pomona Colleges, Claremont Graduate University, Scripps College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, and Pitzer College. We encourage members of the HMC community to review this plan and familiarize themselves with the details.