ABOVE: The view of Mt. Hamilton on August 19 at 10:57 p.m. Pacific time
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA OBSERVATORIES / LICK OBSERVATORY
As if fall classes, set to start October 1, at the University of California, Santa Cruz would not be strained enough amid the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires in the state forced faculty and students living in residential housing to evacuate yesterday evening (August 20).
The evacuation order came as wildfires ripped through thousands of acres of the Santa Cruz Mountains after being sparked by a dry lightning storm. “As this tragic event continues to unfold extraordinary measures are required immediately to avert, alleviate, or repair damage to University property or to maintain the orderly operation of the campus,” UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive writes in a statement.
When the mountain fires began, 1,200 people were living on campus, The New York Times reports. Faculty and students were told to ...
