Wildfire and Air Quality FAQ
For fire updates, including evacuations, road closures, and shelters, visit the Cal Fire website at Cal Fire Line Fire Updates.
Monitor air quality by downloading the South Coast AQMD app, visiting the South Coast AQMD website, or signing up for alerts at Air Alerts.
You can use WatchDuty.org for real-time alerts on nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts. It provides up-to-date information on fire activity and emergency response.
All outdoor activities are being moved indoors or rescheduled. In-person instruction and business operations will continue as normal, but outdoor events will be modified to ensure safety.
Contact Sean DiSalvio at Sean.DiSalvio@rcc.edu for masks.
Instructors are encouraged to offer flexibility with arrival times, departure times, and assignment deadlines. Students should proactively communicate any challenges they are facing, including the need for make-up assignments or adjustments to their coursework.
If you can’t attend class because of the fires, please inform your instructors. Instructors are advised to understand the disruptions caused by the fires, road closures, and K-12 school closures. Students should proactively communicate any challenges they face, including the need for make-up assignments or adjustments to their coursework. Maintaining open communication with your professors is crucial.
RCC is dedicated to providing timely notifications if a class is canceled, though there may be instances where a notice is only posted on the classroom door. While we aim to share updates as early as possible, please know that instructors and classified professionals are also navigating the challenges of the emergency. We appreciate your patience and encourage you to regularly check your email, course Canvas, and the RCC website for the latest information.
If your child’s or dependent’s school is closed, please inform your instructors or managers about any challenges this may cause. Adjustments may be made on a case-by-case basis. Open communication is essential during this time.
Managers are advised to work collaboratively with employees on scheduling adjustments throughout the week to accommodate the effects of extreme heat, wildfires, and air quality issues. Adjustments may be made on a case-by-case basis.
Students can reach out to Student Health and Psychological Services for support. Employees are encouraged to contact the Employee Assistance Program for assistance.
Students and their families can contact our Basic Needs Resource Center for support with food and other essential services. We are here to help ensure you have access to the resources you need during this challenging time.
Call 911 immediately for any medical emergencies. For non-emergencies, contact the RCC non-emergency line at (951) 222-8171.
Updates will be posted on RCC’s social media platforms and the RCC website. Campus leadership will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as necessary to protect the health and safety of the community.
Check RCC's social media platforms and website regularly for the latest updates and information. You make also see the archived messages that were sent out to the college community by clicking here.
Contact Us
To better understand your experiences during this time, please complete the feedback form below.
Archived Messages from RCC Leadership
Riverside City College Community,
The Line Fire, currently burning between Highland and Running Springs, as of 5 AM on Monday, 9/9/2024, has burned 20,552.7 acres and is 3% contained. This has led to a decline in air quality in Riverside County. The Air Quality Index (AQI) for Metropolitan Riverside County is expected to be as high as 182 due to smoke from the fire, and a smoke advisory has been issued.
District Risk Management recommends internal measures which include modifying the intake of outdoor air in our HVAC units, and delivering N95 masks to all buildings for any employee or student who may need one, which the facilities and safety team has already acted on, along with the recommendation to reschedule or relocate outdoor activities for Monday, September 9th.
Please contact Sean DiSalvio @ (951) 206-8475 or Sean.Disalvio@rcc.edu, our college safety professional, to make appropriate adjustments to outdoor events. The Executive leadership team continues to monitor the situation and will communicate any additional updates and/or operational adjustments to ensure the safety of our campus community. Please stay safe and take necessary precautions.
Best,
Kristine DiMemmo, Ed. D., MBA
Vice President of Business Services
Riverside City College
Dear RCC Community,
Earlier today, we sent a brief update regarding the fires impacting our region. This message provides a more detailed follow-up with important information and resources to guide our community through this challenging time.
As of 1:30 PM on Monday, 9/9/2024, the Line Fire burning between Highland and Running Springs has consumed 21,202 acres and is 3% contained. This has caused a significant decline in air quality in Riverside County, with the AQI for our area of Metropolitan Riverside County currently at 203. This level is classified as "Very Unhealthy" (201 and above). In light of this, we are moving all outdoor activities indoors or rescheduling outdoor activities to ensure everyone's safety. In-person instruction and business operations will continue as normal.
Cal Fire Updates: For more information about the Line fire, evacuations, road closures, shelters, and more, visit https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/9/5/line-fire.
County Health Recommendations:
- Avoid outdoor activities.
- Close your windows to keep out polluted outdoor air.
- Wear a mask outdoors. If you must be outside, a properly fitting N95 or P100 respirator may provide some protection. N95 respirators can be obtained by contacting Sean DiSalvio at Sean.DiSalvio@rcc.edu or calling/texting 951-206-8476.
- Improve Indoor Air Quality: Run your air conditioning or use an air purifier, but avoid using swamp coolers or whole-house fans that bring in outside air.
- Get a monitor to track air quality: Download the South Coast AQMD app (link) and sign up for alerts at www.Airalerts.org to receive real-time air quality updates and forecasts.
- For additional health and safety tips regarding wildfire smoke and ash, please refer to this link.
Faculty are encouraged to extend grace and flexibility to students regarding arrival, departure times, and assignment deadlines during this period.
Managers are advised to work collaboratively with employees on scheduling adjustments throughout the week as we navigate the uncertainties caused by the extreme heat, wildfires, and fluctuating air quality.
We understand that times of uncertainty can be emotionally challenging and triggering. Students are encouraged to reach out to Student Health and Psychological Services for support, and employees are encouraged to contact the Employee Assistance Program for assistance.
In case of a medical emergency, please call 911 immediately. For non-emergencies, the RCC non-emergency line is (951) 222-8171.
We have also posted RCCD fire and air quality updates across all social media platforms and on the RCC website.
Campus leadership will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as necessary to protect the health and safety of our community.
Please stay safe and take all necessary precautions.
In community,
Claire Oliveros, PhD
President
Dear RCC Community,
Our thoughts are with the families and community members affected by the devastating wildfires sweeping through Southern California. We recognize the significant challenges many of you are facing, including evacuations, road closures, and school closures. In these uncertain times, we come together to support one another.
At this time, we know many in our community are dealing with significant disruptions. I want to emphasize the importance of extending flexibility and grace to each other, our students, and employees. If you are impacted by the wildfires, please contact your faculty or manager, who will work with you on a case-by-case basis regarding your circumstances.
I also ask for patience from our students if your class may be unexpectedly canceled, as some of our faculty are also managing the effects of the wildfires. Our strength as a community comes from how we support each other during challenging times, and your well-being is most important.
To help everyone stay informed, we’ve created an FAQ page with links to essential resources such as road closures, evacuation warnings, shelter locations, etc. This page will be regularly updated with new information. We encourage you to continue to visit the webpage.
In addition, we are emphasizing the resources available at our Basic Needs Resource Center to support students and families. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to take advantage of these resources.
We also want to hear from you. If you or your family have been affected, please use the contact option on the FAQ page to let us better understand your experience.
While the campus remains open, we are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates.
Take good care and support one another.
In community,
Claire Oliveros, PhD
President