At about 6:00 on Thursday night, my friend Juliann called me and frantically asked me where I was and if I was safe. I was confused by her question until she explained to me that there was a fire up above Westmont and that the students were being told to move to the gym. I was a little worried, but didn't think a whole lot of it, because there are small brush fires in the hills behind Westmont all the time. So, Emily and I continued on our mission into Costco. However, when we left, we saw flames shoot up from exactly where Westmont is located and that's when we realized that it was serious. Em and I both started calling what felt like everyone we know who could possibly be up on campus. We were assured that everyone was okay in the gym and confused about what was happening. They were surrounded by flames, but safe, and thinking that most of campus was burning down around them.
We got back to apartment only to be greeted by tons of smoke, no power, and friends who had already been evacuated from their homes. We quickly packed up some bags, anticipating our inevitable evacuation. As we were driving away from our apartment towards my cousin's house, we could see flames licking over the hill behind our complex, glowing ominously orange all around us. We got to my cousin's house and planted ourselves in front of the tv and stayed there for the rest of the night, watching the news. I don't think my phone has ever worked that hard - calls and texts - questions of safety from friends, trying to figure out where everyone was, and trying to get updates on the status of our school.
Throughout the rest of that sleepless night we heard every imaginable rumor - Westmont was fine, Westmont was completely gone, and everything in between. By morning, though, it started to be certain what buildings were fallen and what were still standing. The final list of damaged buildings included 3 academic buildings, 3 dorm buildings, and 15 faculty houses. My heart breaks for everyone who lost their homes, but thank God for everyone's safety. The students who were on campus spent the night there, and once it was safe for them to leave campus in the morning, they were shuttled down to the grocery store down the hill and then were free to leave. I picked up three of my friends there and took them home to LA area, where I spent last night with one girl's family.
Now I am back up at my apartment, which is completely fine, and waiting to hear what our next steps will be. The earliest we will start classes is Wednesday morning, and that is only under the most ideal of circumstances. Students have lost their rooms and need to have housing for the rest of the semester, so we may have a refugee or two on our couch in the coming days. The school needs to be cleaned, gas and water pipes need to be repaired, and professors who lost their homes and/or offices need to be taken care of and prepared to teach again. We will see what the future holds.
The past two days have been...emotional. Exhausting, terrifying at moments, and a huge reminder of what is important. Buildings can be rebuilt, possessions can be replaced....but the lives that are irreplaceable were protected every second. I have no doubt that God had his hand over Westmont. There is no question that this is a tragedy, and my heart breaks for those who lost their homes, but I have to be grateful for God's faithfulness. By anyone's standards, someone should have been injured or killed in these fires, but every single person is safe, accounted for, and cared for right now. Our community is hurting, but will be stronger for this.
I ask for your continued prayers, even as the fire is being contained and the drama ends. Pray for those who lost their homes and possessions, those who are trying to rebuild their lives. Pray for the people at Westmont figuring out the next steps in the lives of the students and faculty. Pray for the Westmont community and their continued reliance on God in the coming days and weeks. Pray for the Santa Barbara and Montecito communities and the 100+ families who lost their homes. Pray for the firefighters who continue to risk their own lives to save ours. Pray for the city officials, insurance companies, and safety workers who have a lot to figure during the coming weeks. And most of all, praise God for His faithfulness and His goodness that has been over us all.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
God bless you all.
