Update, Friday, Jan. 10, 6 p.m.: We will no longer be updating this story. For the most recent list of school district closures, as well as links to food, mental health and other resources, please visit the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s website.
School districts across Los Angeles County have remained closed for days as multiple fires burn across the Los Angeles area.
In total, nearly two dozen school districts have experienced full or partial closures since the first fire broke out, leaving more than 700,000 students without class. Some districts have tried to reopen, only to shutter once more as the bad air quality became insurmountable.
And many districts said in statements that they simply don’t have enough staff, as the fires displace employees from their homes.
Several districts, including Los Angeles Unified, are closed through Friday.
Alhambra Unified
All schools remain closed Friday, Jan. 10.
Superintendent Denise Jaramillo wrote in a statement Thursday that “challenges such as air quality concerns and ongoing evacuation orders affecting many staff members have necessitated this additional closure day.”
“While our campuses have fared relatively well thus far, the air quality is expected to remain poor due to excessive dust from the winds and smoke from the fires,” Jaramillio wrote.
The district expects to reopen Monday.
Arcadia Unified
All schools remain closed Friday, Jan. 10.
All district events and services will continue to be closed and canceled, including athletics, and after-school programs.
“Two campuses are also still without power as of this morning. We have many staff members who have been greatly impacted by the fires, and are still evacuated or are taking care of family members who are,” the district said in a statement.
Bonita Unified School District
Most schools open.
In a statement posted to social media, the district said Wednesday night that power had been restored at all but three campuses: Ekstrand Elementary, La Verne Heights Elementary, and Oak Mesa Elementary. But the district hasn’t announced updates for Friday, Jan. 10.
Burbank Unified
All schools remain closed through Friday, Jan. 10.
The district, which is close to the Eaton Fire, said in a statement that it would not offer childcare or after-school activities.
Charter schools
Various closures Friday, Jan. 10.
The California Charter School Association announced that more than 70 independently operated charter schools in the area are closed including all campuses of:
Compton Unified
All schools closed Friday, Jan. 10
The district, which was open earlier in the week, closed schools Thursday and Friday because of “unhealthy air quality,” according to a statement posted to Instagram.
Culver City Unified
All schools closed Thursday, Jan. 9.
No public announcement has been made about Friday.
Duarte Unified
All schools remain closed Friday, Jan. 10.
In a previous Instagram post, the district cited concerns about fires, poor air quality, hazardous travel conditions, and power outages in Duarte in deciding to keep schools closed.
El Monte City School District
Schools will close Friday, Jan. 10.
After reopening Thursday, the district reversed course Friday, citing an expected changes in wind patterns and the threat of additional smoke.
Garvey School District
All schools remain closed Friday, Jan. 10.
Citing concerns about smoke, superintendent Anita Chu said in a statement that the district will be closed, despite hopes of reopening. It would set
The district will provide “a complete breakfast and lunch meal for all children ages 18 and under.” Meals are available through a drive-through service or walk-up from 7:30-11:30 a.m. at Sanchez Elementary School: 8470 East Fern Avenue, Rosemead.
Glendale Unified
All schools remain closed through Friday, Jan. 10.
Child care and district offices will also be closed. The district offers tips for helping families cope with the fires and stay safe online.
The district previously cited the accessibility of roadways and air quality in its decision to close schools.
Glendora Unified
Schools will reopen Friday, Jan. 10.
“Power has been restored at all GUSD sites, as has internet access and phone communication. We will continue to monitor local fire conditions very closely, and our thoughts are with the many people who have been impacted,” the district said in a statement.
La Cañada Unified
All schools remain closed through Monday, Jan. 13.
In a statement, the district said it is applying for a state waiver to offset lost instructional days, “meaning additional school days likely won’t be required.”
Las Virgenes Unified
All schools remain closed Friday, Jan. 10.
In a statement posted to the district’s Facebook page earlier this week, Superintendent Dan Stepenosky said that Southern California Edison had turned off the power at a number of schools.
Los Angeles Unified
All schools will be closed through Friday, Jan. 10
The district announced late Thursday morning that all schools and offices will be closed through Friday, while some essential employees will report to work.
“The confluence of factors — wind, fire, and smoke — have created unpredictable, complex situations that present potentially unsafe conditions for our school communities,” the statement read.
Students can find academic support through LAUSD’s Continuity of Learning plan.
Resources
Food
The district will distribute meals to LAUSD students from 8–11 a.m. Friday. Those meals have been helpful for many families.
In region North:
In region East:
In region South:
In region West:
Families may receive two meals per student.
Mental health
The Palisades fire reached the campuses of three LAUSD schools.
Palisades Charter Elementary School and Marquez Charter Elementary School were destroyed.
“ We were on site and could not believe what we were witnessing,” Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said in a press conference Wednesday. He said the school’s 700 students will be relocated.
In addition, Carvalho said that a large portion of Palisades High, which is not currently in session, was destroyed.
Monrovia Unified
All schools remain closed Friday, Jan. 10.
Superintendent Paula Hart Rodas cited “ongoing issues, including power and water outages at some of our schools,” in a statement announcing the extended closure.
Mountain View School District
All schools closes Friday, Jan. 10.
In announcing schools would be open again for Thursday, the district warned of air quality concerns: “Therefore, we will continue to assess the situation and take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”
Despite measures to reduce the impact, those issues proved too powerful; the district said in a statement Thursday afternoon that schools would close on Friday, “as the region’s unhealthy air quality is expected to persist and potentially worsen.”
Pasadena Unified
All schools remain closed through Friday, Jan. 10.
As the Eaton Fire continued to burn Wednesday the district announced school closures would extend through the end of the week.
“This allows our teams time to assess the conditions of our facilities and for our employees, students, and families to begin reestablishing some normalcy,” Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco wrote in a statement.
The district is also suspending grab-and-go meals because the facility where the food is stored is within a mandatory evacuation zone.
Rosemead School District
All schools closed Friday, Jan. 10.
The district said in an Instagram statement that air quality would be monitored.
San Gabriel Unified
All schools remain closed Friday, Jan. 10.
Superintendent Jim Symonds wrote in a statement that a host of factors required canceling classes:
“The significant number of District staff that have been impacted by the fires; hazardous air quality that poses health risks to students and staff; and, the current conditions that make it unsafe for custodial and maintenance staff to prepare our campuses for a safe return,” he said.
San Marino Unified
Schools remain closed Friday, Jan. 10.
Despite hopes to reopen, Superintendent Linda de la Torre said in a statement that in addition to safety concerns, large numbers of staff have been displaced. “We are acutely aware of the sleepless nights, stress, and anxiety that many of our staff and families have faced,” she said.
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified
All schools remain closed Friday, Jan. 10.
“We watch with all of you in disbelief the devastation and displacement caused by the Palisades fire, which continues to grow and evade containment,” Superintendent Antonio Shelton wrote in a statement.
The district has collected resources for families online.
South Pasadena Unified
All schools remain closed Friday, Jan. 10.
The closure includes the district office, before- and after-school programs and activities.
“A significant percentage of our employees and neighbors are under evacuation orders, evacuation warnings, or have lost their homes,” Superintendent Geoff Yantz wrote in a statement.
“Our hearts go out to everyone who has experienced hardships.”
Yantz said it is difficult to safely operate schools without enough staff.
Temple City Unified
All schools remain closed Friday, Jan. 10.
“We anticipate significant improvement in the air quality over the weekend,” the district said in a statement, predicting a return to schools on Monday. “However, upon our return, outdoor activities will likely remain limited.”
Valle Lindo
Schools will close again Friday, Jan. 10.
Despite reopening Thursday, Superintendent Elizabeth Evans said in a statement that the air quality is too poor to keep schools open.
Grab-and-go meals will be available for students on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dean L. Shively Middle School: 1431 N. Central Ave., South El Monte
More fire coverage
These fires are fast-moving and straight up frightening. For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
Palisades Fire
Eaton Fire
Hurst Fire
