When the Sky Turned Orange

I was eating dinner during my freshman year at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) when the Eaton Canyon wildfire began on January 7, 2025. The wind rattled the windows, and we thought it was a storm—but it wasn’t raining. When I left the dining hall to return to my dorm, I realized something was wrong. Ash swirled in the air, and the sky was pale gray. 

The university sent numerous text and email alerts throughout the night about the fire. By morning, the sky had turned orange, and the air was polluted. It became increasingly hard to breathe. Due to the strong winds, the fire spread to just a few miles from Caltech. We could see the smoke rising. Fortunately, though, the flames did not reach our campus.

The university transitioned classes online and instructed students to remain in our dormitories as much as possible. We were told to wear masks if we had to go outside. Residential advisors delivered masks, air filters, and bottles of water. Due to concerns about contamination, we were not supposed to drink water from the tap. Caltech provided safety guidelines, advising us to not open windows and doors. The university also closed the libraries, increased campus security, and sent emails to update parents. My parents frequently called and texted me.

My residential advisors emailed reminders about the availability of counseling and other forms of mental health support. They encouraged students to socialize in common areas. Despite the uncertainty, I felt safe and supported. 

The cancellation of in-person classes dramatically changed life at Caltech. Typically, the campus is busy with students and professors rushing from one lab to another. But as the fire blazed, the university felt empty, especially as many students chose to evacuate. The campus remained like this for five days. 

The campus was physically transformed by the high winds, which uprooted trees and ripped the nets from the tennis courts. One tree crashed onto the roof of the health services center. Months later, the building’s main entrance remains closed.

Although the campus itself escaped the fire, more than 250 families and individuals associated with Caltech lost their homes, and 1,800 people connected to the university were temporarily displaced. Our community, however, wasn’t the only one suffering loss and damage. As the Eaton Canyon fire burned, the Palisades fire and several other wildfires were also sweeping through the Los Angeles area. Overall, at least thirty people were killed, and tens of thousands of people were displaced. At least seven other colleges and universities were affected. 

After surviving the Eaton Canyon fire, I feel more confident in my ability to meet life’s challenges. I’m also more empathetic to other people’s struggles. We all go through hard times and need help when we do.

To other students who find themselves in a similar situation, remember to keep your heart open. Accept the help other people offer. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and trust other people with your safety. Know that healing is a process—prioritize self-care and treat yourself gently. Most of all, recognize that your emotional well-being deserves as much investment as your academic goals. 

Photo: The Eaton Canyon wildfire devastated Altadena, a historically Black community near Caltech. (Zion Irving-Singh)