Led by Professor George Vourlitis, the excursion allowed biology undergraduates to test their newly acquired ecological skills by examining plant abundance and regrowth following the wildfire.

Working in teams, students cataloged plant species, measured growth and noted the geographical position of plant life within several two-meter radius plots. The field assignment is part of the upper-division course, Biology 354: Principles in Ecology, which introduces biology majors to concepts and methods used to assess and quantify ecological processes.

Fire is part of the natural ecosystem for southern California’s chaparral – a plant community characterized by drought-hardy, woody shrubs in a Mediterranean-type climate with mild winters and dry, hot summers. Chaparral covers more than a million acres throughout San Diego County, including the undeveloped land on, and surrounding, CSUSM.

More than 24 species of plants populate the CSUSM hillside. Restoration of the chaparral following a wildfire is a long process that can span over several decades, although most of the initial plant regrowth will occur in the first 10 years.

Students compared fire-affected areas that were hydroseeded – a planting process that uses a blend of water, seed and mulch to stimulate plant growth – to areas that were growth was occurring naturally.

Students noted the difference between the regrowth of north-facing slopes versus south-facing slopes. In the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing hillsides get more direct sunlight and as a result are hotter and drier, and have less biodiversity, than north-facing slopes.

"Studying how ecosystems respond to disturbances happens best through the hands-on field experience," said Vourlitis. "Exploiting chance events, such as the Cocos Fire, provides an opportunity for illustrating ecological concepts and techniques in a system and environment that are relevant to students and allows open-ended laboratory activities that are more closely aligned with scientific research."

In addition to using the hillside as a learning laboratory, Dr. Vourlitis and a team of research students are piloting several studies that focus on the regrowth and ecosystem dynamics of CSUSM’s outlining chaparral.

I am very proud of how our entire campus community responded to this crisis situation - from our orderly evacuation to the tireless dedication of our emergency operations personnel. As a campus, our training and preparation allowed us to ensure the safety of our campus community, make critical decisions and provide timely and frequent updates. Once again our campus community demonstrated the unique spirit that makes us Cal State San Marcos.

We are especially grateful for the eight military Sea Hawk helicopters and the Cal Fire DC 10 Air Tank that flew over our hills making drops of flame retardant and water; and to the firefighters and police from so many other districts who came together to fight these fires. Their efforts ensured the safety of our campus and saved so many homes and businesses in our surrounding community.

Over the coming weeks our region will continue to recover from these horrific wildfires. Our campus will serve as a resource to help aid and facilitate that effort.

While the fires came dangerously close to campus buildings, no structures were burned.

The University reopened on Tuesday, May 20 with normal business operations. CSUSM’s four Commencement Ceremonies have been rescheduled for Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25.

Final Exams Cancelled
The wildfires broke out in the middle of CSUSM’s Final Exam week. While the majority of exams had been held earlier in the week, those scheduled after the campus evacuation were cancelled.

“We are convinced that it is unreasonable to ask students to make up final exams in light of the uncertain circumstances,” said President Karen Haynes and Provost Graham Oberem in a communication to students, faculty and staff on Thursday, May 15.

Instructors have been asked to post grades using their discretion to assign final grades. If a faculty member is unable to assign a grade, the registrar's office will administratively assign an “Incomplete” for the class until the faculty member is able to provide the final grade.

Commencement Rescheduled
On Thursday, May 15, President Haynes announced that commencement, which was previously scheduled for May 16 and 17, would be rescheduled for Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25. 

“The decision to cancel this weekend’s Commencement Ceremonies was a difficult one,” said Haynes in the announcement. “Thank you for your continued understanding as we monitor the broad-reaching impact of the wildfires on the campus and our surrounding region over the coming days.”

CSUSM will hold its four ceremonies on Mangrum Track and Field on the following dates and times:

Saturday, May 24, 2014
College of Business Administration, 10:30 a.m.
College of Education, Health and Human Services, 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 25, 2014
College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences, 9:30 a.m.
College of Science and Mathematics, 3:00 p.m.

To help address questions from graduates and guests related to the rescheduling of commencement, a Frequently Asked Questions page has been posted online.

Minimal Damage to Campus Structures
Damage to CSUSM’s 304-acre campus was minimal. While flames came precariously close to the University’s Central Plant and burned chaparral along the campus’ south perimeter, CSUSM’s only physical damages were related to smoke, a brief power outage and a ruptured coil that caused flooding in three rooms in Academic Hall.

After the fires surrounding campus were contained, Facilities and Risk Management and Safety staff assessed the air quality and safety of campus buildings and student housing, clearing the University to reopen on Tuesday, May 20.

CSUSM Serves as Command and Resource Center
From Wednesday through Sunday, The Clarke Field House was transformed into a comfort station for firefighters, providing shower facilities and a sleeping area with 25 cots from the American Red Cross. Food and drinks were donated by CSUSM and the Ralph’s Grocery Company located across from campus.

CSUSM also became the county’s official Incident Command Post for the Cocos Fire on Thursday, May 15, serving as a staging area for first responders.

Thank You to First Responders
Over 800 firefighters and police officers worked tirelessly to contain the Cocos Fire and protect the communities surrounding CSUSM. The Cocos Fire was one of nine wildfires to erupt throughout San Diego County during the week of May 12.

“We are especially grateful for the eight military Sea Hawk helicopters and the Cal Fire DC 10 Air Tank that flew over our hills making drops of flame retardant and water, and to the firefighters and police from so many other districts who came together to fight these fires,” said President Haynes. “Their efforts ensured the safety of our campus and saved so many homes and businesses in our surrounding community.”