BRIEFLY MONDAY CLASSES CANCELED AT CSUN.

NORTHRIDGE - Officials at California State University, Northridge, canceled Monday night classes because of blowing smoke from the Simi Valley wildfire. Sessions scheduled for today might also be canceled.

Officials will decide by 5:30 a.m. whether to reopen. Students and staffers should log on to the campus's Internet home page, www.csun.edu. Students and community members can call [phone] for information, and faculty and staff members can call [phone].

- City News Service

Fire shuts down Reagan Freeway

The Ronald Reagan Freeway was closed Monday because of the wildfire, and commuters who detoured onto the Ventura Freeway made an already-tough weekday drive even worse, officials reported.

The shutting of the 118, coupled with the ongoing MTA strike, created a ``double whammy'' for commuters on the 101 Freeway.

``We do ask for everyone's patience,'' said CHP Officer Francisco Villalobos. ``We do ask the public's indulgence; slow down.''

In addition to the 118, authorities also Santa Susana Pass Road, an alternate route connecting the Simi and San Fernando valleys.

``Everyone's got to go to the 101,'' said CHP Officer Leland Tang. ``That's exactly the reason why the 101 was a mess.''

- Daily News

Postal deliveries hampered by fires

Letter carriers were unable Monday to make more than 400,000 deliveries in three Southern California postal districts because of the wildfires, officials said.

About 3,500 homes did not receive delivery in Simi Valley, Canoga Park, Chatsworth and Moorpark. Routes also were impacted in the Santa Ana and San Diego postal districts, officials said.

- City News Service

Union Bank gives to Red Cross fund

The Union Bank of California Foundation announced Monday that it had donated $175,000 to the American Red Cross for relief efforts from the Southern California wildfires.

Under the grant, $75,000 will go to San Diego County, with $25,000 each for Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties.

- City News Service

Refugees visited by Maria Shriver

SAN BERNARDINO - Maria Shriver, wife of Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger, visited wildfire refugees Monday at an evacuation center at San Bernardino International Airport.

About 500 children and 1,500 adults are at the center set up in a hangar.

``This could be any one of us,'' said Shriver, an NBC correspondent. ``I think the real challenge for all of us in this new era in California is to have a sense of commmnity. It's about showing people who are having a tough time that we care.''

- Associated Press