Update on Skirball Fire

Throughout the day we have closely monitored the fire in the hills just above UCLA, taking every possible step to keep our community and campus safe. This has involved communication with local emergency management officials, maintaining power to critical areas of campus, canceling classes as needed and making masks available to all who want them. I want to assure you these efforts will continue as needed.

Although the fire has slowed its spread this afternoon and we expect to resume full campus activities tomorrow, it is too early to predict what anticipated winds this evening could bring. While I urge all students, faculty and staff to prepare for a normal day tomorrow, everyone should continue to closely monitor email, text messaging and the UCLA home page. As the situation develops overnight, we will evaluate the safety and accessibility of campus and alert all of you if campus activities will be disrupted in any way.

I know this has been a long and difficult day and I want to thank our entire campus community for their patience, poise and hard work. From our students calmly continuing their studies, to our medical center team providing care and support to patients, to our countless faculty and staff who braved long commutes and uncommon challenges to keep campus operating or arranged to work from home, you have my enormous gratitude and appreciation. I also want to acknowledge all of the firefighters and emergency personnel working tirelessly across Southern California to save lives and homes.

Please stay safe, continue to monitor local news and be attentive to your Bruin Alerts.