SMMUSD Marks Woolsey Fire's 5th Anniversary

MALIBU, CA — Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Superintendent Antonio Shelton on Thursday sent a letter to the community marking the 5th anniversary of the Woolsey Fire.

The 2018 wildfire ravaged nearly 100,000 acres in and around the Santa Monica Mountains, killing three people and destroying over 1,600 structures.

See Shelton's message below:

Dear Malibu Parents, Guardians, Staff, Students and Community Members,

We are thinking of our families, staff and friends in Malibu, as this week marks five years since the Woolsey fire that forever changed the lives of all who live and work in the beautiful and thriving coastal community of Malibu.

With a heavy heart, we recall the concern and fright felt by all in the community and all of us who care deeply about our families, staff and community members who were impacted.

Our schools were closed for several weeks, with our students moving to remote learning before the pandemic made that method of learning more popular. Our teachers, administrators and staff rose to the occasion to support our families and staff in need, offering a myriad of supports and services. Our partner, Malibu Boys & Girls Club, collected donations, clothing and necessities to support our families during this time of great sorrow and need. We are forever grateful to Kasey Earnest, the MBGC staff, and all who volunteered during this difficult time.

Our Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs, Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association (SMMCTA), City of Santa Monica, our staff and Santa Monica community also provided support, mental health services, donations, food, clothing and shelter to our displaced families and staff. It was beautiful to see everyone coming together to help and support each other.

We know some of our families left the area and restarted their lives elsewhere. We understand that some families and staff are still in the process of rebuilding their homes and had to start over fresh. We understand the trauma is deep, and this life-changing experience will always be on the minds of those who endured this horrible act of nature.

We see the once-scarred beautiful hillsides green and alive again, and we see our students thriving in school. Malibu continues to be a vibrant town in which to live, work and play, and we keep you in our thoughts and prayers as your special community remembers this event at the five-year mark.

Please continue to take care of yourself and each other.

Sincerely,

Dr. Antonio Shelton, Superintendent