This post was updated Jan. 8 at 7:31 p.m.

Classes will not be held on UCLA’s campus for the rest of the week. 

In a BruinPost shortly after 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Chancellor Julio Frenk announced that undergraduate classes would be canceled Thursday and Friday, while graduate-level classes would be moved online. The UCLA Academic Senate will make a decision about instruction next week, Frenk said in the statement.

The move follows significant fires across Los Angeles County, with evacuations in areas including parts of Santa Monica, the Pacific Palisades and Topanga Canyon. The nearest fire has burned since Tuesday morning and now has a size of nearly 16,000 acres, according to the Cal Fire website. 

People from fire-impacted areas are being evacuated to a number of centers, including one at the Westwood Recreation Center, which had received 94 guests as of 3:41 p.m. Wednesday. There are five other active fires in Los Angeles county, according to Cal Fire, with one in the Pasadena and Altadena areas measuring at over 10,000 acres.

[Related: LIVE: PACIFIC PALISADES FIRE]

Frenk added in the post that UCLA will also close its elementary and secondary education operations – including the Geffen Academy and the Early Care and Education Programs. UCLA extension programs will move to remote instruction, he said in the post.

Frenk – whose tenure as chancellor began less than a week ago – said in the post that the air quality in Westwood will likely deteriorate and encouraged university employees to work virtually if possible. He added, however, that UCLA Health facilities will stay operational, saying that the university will continue to monitor conditions in Westwood and – if necessary – will consider further curtailing operations on campus.

Frenk also said in the campuswide email that UCLA is assisting evacuees from the fire, including by hosting them at the Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center, treating them across the UCLA Health system and minimizing water use.

“UCLA organizations have opened up their doors to provide free meals and other support to the community as well,” he said in the statement.

In the email, Frenk said he sympathizes with those affected by the fires in LA and encouraged community members to ensure their safety.

“I ask that you do everything you can to stay safe, and if you are able, to look out for those around you,” he said.

Contributing reports from Dylan Winward, News editor.