The Capistrano Unified School District asked parents of students at 14 San Clemente schools to pick up or sign off on early releases for their children as fires raged nearby in Camp Pendleton and San Juan Capistrano.
“We’re in communication with families in San Clemente,” said Ryan Burris, spokesperson for the CUSD district.
Burris said parents of elementary students should go to their schools and pick up their children.
Parents of middle and high school students can reply to the emails and give school officials permission to discharge those students, he said.
“We’re not evacuating the schools until it gets worse,” Burris said a little after 1 p.m., adding that smoke is visible from the district offices and from San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano school sites.
He also said the district has a limited number of buses, so getting parents to the schools can help get the children out safely. Parents got a notice from the district that any students who are transported by bus will be taken to Capistrano Valley High and can be picked up there.
“It’s easier for us to do a controlled release,” Burris said.