Update: 10:00 a.m.: As of 8:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, parents and guardians were informed that Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District schools would remain closed throughout the day following information of the 150-acre Skirball Fire near the 405 Freeway.
The fire has caused closures northbound on the 405 Freeway, from the 10 to the 101 freeways. It led to mandatory evacuation in the Bel-Air area early Wednesday.
According to the email, the SMMUSD Emergency Operations Center convened the same morning.
The district had originally sent out an email Tuesday night, announcing class would be in session as normal.
Smoke from the 45,000-acre Thomas Fire in Ventura County is sending Malibu kids home early today.
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati sent out an updated districtwide email informing parents and guardians of children in the district that schools would transition to a minimum day schedule following extreme wind and smoke danger on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Students who are unable be picked up may also remain on campus throughout the regular school day.
Parents and guardians may also pick up students earlier; those who leave will receive an approved absence. According to the email, SMMUSD is currently waiting on an advisory from the LA County Department of Public Health for “further direction.”
The district had originally sent out an email, informing parents of an indoor schedule for all students.
The Thomas Fire has caused evacuations in Santa Paula, Ventura and Ojai, and as of Tuesday morning was at 0 percent containment.