Response to fertilizer plant fire

NOTE: Updates on the situation are available on Wake Alert.

This message is sent on behalf of President Susan R. Wente, Provost Rogan Kersh, Executive Vice President Hof Milam and Vice President for Campus Life Shea Kidd Brown.

Dear faculty, staff and students,

The Weaver Fertilizer Plant fire that began last night and continues today has affected the campus community and those in the surrounding area. About 1,000 Wake Forest undergraduate and graduate students reside within the one-mile radius that was asked to evacuate for at least 48 hours. Faculty and staff also live in the evacuation area. We know this creates difficult circumstances for many, and we are deeply grateful for your cooperation and support of one another.

Our first concern is for your safety. We continue to monitor air quality in our buildings and on campus, working with our environmental-health experts and the Winston-Salem Fire Department. Smoky conditions are likely to continue. We advise keeping windows closed, and you may want to wear a mask when outdoors on or near campus. We do not believe there is any threat to campus at this time.

If you live in the evacuation area and have not already relocated, we advise that you do so as quickly as possible. Although the evacuation remains voluntary, we recommend this out of an abundance of caution as conditions may change. Students who need help evacuating should email housing@wfu.edu; faculty and staff may contact askhr@wfu.edu.

We are in constant contact with Winston-Salem fire and law enforcement officials as they monitor conditions and fight the blaze. As this situation evolves, we will share information and provide direction related to campus activities and safety measures. Please pay attention to any Wake Alert messages.

Should you need support, we encourage you to reach out to the many services we have available:

• The Support Center in the Wellbeing Center (conference room A330) will operate throughout the day.
• The University Counseling Center is available to students by calling 336-758-5273. TimelyCare, a 24/7 resource at timelycare.com/wakeforest, is also available.
• Faculty and staff can use the Employee Assistance Program by calling 336-716-5493.

We ask that in the next several hours, we do what Wake Forest does best – care for one another. Check in on each other and see how you can lend a helping hand to a classmate, friend or faculty/staff colleague who had to evacuate.

Thank you for your continued attention to this evolving situation. Please stay alert and continue to take care of yourselves and others.

Sincerely,

Susan R. Wente
President

Rogan Kersh
Provost

Hof Milam
Executive Vice President

Shea Kidd Brown
Vice President for Campus Life