UCLA Student Posts Video of Flames from Palisades Fire Visible from Her Dorm Room as She's 'Trying to Stay Calm' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Madison Melocoton captures photo of fire from campus.Photo:Madison Melocoton

Madison Melocoton

In addition to the Palisades fire, there are also the Eaton, Hurst and Woodley fires, which have left many Los Angeles residents scrambling under evacuation orders.

“I had a club meeting last night, and then I walked in, opened the door, and there was just fire everywhere on the Hills. That was pretty scary,” the college student tells PEOPLE exclusively. “We can see it. And then I woke up this morning, and you could still see the fire.”

View of fire from Madison Melocoton’s dorm.Madison Melocoton

Speaking to PEOPLE over the phone from her dorm room, Melocoton adds that there has not been an evacuation order in her area yet. However, the 17-year-old, along with her two roommates — who are also natives of Southern California — continue to monitor the situation.

On Tuesday night, they received a message from their dorm’s resident assistant about the fire, and this morning, they decided to pack emergency supplies in case the power goes out.

“It’s just been really scary and intimidating, even though there’s no active threat as of now,” Melocoton, who grew up in Upland, a city in San Bernardino County, Calif., says. “But it was really weird. It was trippy seeing everything happening right in front of our window.”

“This is the closest the fire’s ever gotten to me,” she adds. “My roommate and I are trying to stay calm, but at the same time, seeing it from our dorm, we’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is real. This isn’t just something we see on the news.’ "

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In the midst of everything, Melocoton decided to film a video of the view from her dorm, which happens to be the tallest on the school’s campus. On Tuesday night, around 11 p.m. PT, she posted the video onTikTok.

She continues, “I also wanted to connect with other UCLA students, especially if they’re feeling the same way or if they’re unsure about what’s happening. I wanted to use it as a way of saying, ‘Hey, you know what? I got you. We’re all in this together.’ "

Melocoton adds that she received an email from the school stating that they will continue regular operations. However, she notes that some of her friends' professors have canceled classes due to the poor air quality.

Luckily, Melocoton’s dorm has a dining hall underneath, giving her direct access to food and water. But she’s concerned about her friends who live in apartments.

“They don’t have a meal plan,” she says. “So if they need food, they have to go to the grocery store or a restaurant. That’s a little less accessible than if you’re living in a dorm. In my case, especially with my roommate, we can literally just go downstairs.”

According to a statement from the university, the school says as of mid-day Jan. 8, they’ve remained open for classes and regular operations.

“The fires in the Los Angeles region do not pose an immediate danger to the campus, and at present, air quality levels in Westwood remain within normal levels,” the statement says. “Geffen Academy, UCLA Lab School and our Early Care and Education Programs are open; UCLA Extension also remains open.”

Students walk on UCLA campus amid fires in the distance.Madison Melocoton

Melocoton says that while she’s continuing to monitor the situation, she’s already created an action plan with her parents in case things take a turn.

“I just want people around me to take precautions, treat this like an actual serious situation, and pack some emergency supplies,” she says. “Pack a bag with clothing, and maybe something important to you — even if it doesn’t come to that point. It’s always good to be prepared because fire is unpredictable, and it can change in a matter of hours or even minutes.”

“Be careful, listen to the warnings, and stay safe,” she adds.

Click hereto learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires.

source: people.com