The fires have destroyed 38,000 acres and 2,100 homes. The fires killed seven people directly.,”With wildfires forcing more than 15,000 California residents to evacuate their homes in the past two weeks, universities in the area have remained relatively unscathed.

The fires have destroyed 38,000 acres and 2,100 homes. The fires killed seven people directly and have sparked one of the biggest evacuations in the state's history, the Associated Press reported.

California State University-San Marcos, located in northern San Diego, canceled classes from Oct. 22 to Oct. 29, said George Cagala, associate director of media relations and a California resident who was forced to evacuate.

While classes were canceled at San Marcos, a mandatory evacuation was never implemented at the university.

"We could see the fires burning in the hills a half-mile behind the university," Cagala said.

Cagala said the smoke and ash-filled air was one of the reasons the university was temporary closed. Additionally, he said the streets and freeways were closed in the area near the school.

Since most of the San Marcos students are from southern California, a large portion of the student body was directly affected, he said.

"(The fires) were more a disruption to the community than the university," Cagala said.

Wileen Wong, associate media director at Pepperdine University in Malibu, said the school only suffered minor damages from the fire.

"We could see the flames and smoke on the edge of campus," Wong said.

Pepperdine, which has 1,800 students living on campus, canceled class for two days and, like San Marcos, did not mandate an evacuation.

San Diego State University's campus closed the week of Oct. 22 as well, but kept its residents halls open, said Lorena Nava, the media specialist for San Diego State.

Students at the various universities have started community services projects to aid displaced students and local residents.

Caitlin Gelrud, representative on the board of directors for San Marcos' student government, said the main objective was making sure students were safe.

"Some students are still concerned because they have not been able to contact their friends," Gelrud said.

Gelrud said the student board has been having a hard time reaching out to the displaced students.

At San Marcos, campus organizations like the bookstore, computer labs, financial aid and counseling services are making exceptions to help students, she said.

"The book store is letting students borrow text books for the rest of the year for free. Some students got up to $400 of books for free," Gelrud said.

Gelrud said the financial aid office is extending its emergency loans from $300 to $1,000. The university is also allowing an additional three months to pay the money back.

The computer labs have extended their checkout hours and, in some cases, are allowing extended laptop loans, she said.

At Pepperdine, student volunteering in the community has been a popular initiative, Wong said.

Nava said the student athletes and residence hall communities at San Diego State have been working to help the San Diego community.

"Our students are making meals and gathering donations for the community," Nava said.

Students at San Marcos have returned to campus and class.

"We're back to normal now. The air has cleared," Cagala said.

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