LAUSD, Other School Districts Remain Closed as Fires Spread Across Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Nearly two dozen school districts across Los Angeles County have announced full or partial closures as multiple wildfires continue to spread across the region, fueled by high winds and dry conditions. The closures, which began Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, have disrupted education for hundreds of thousands of students, with many districts citing poor air quality, power outages, and evacuation orders as reasons for the shutdowns.

Superintendent Alberto Carvalho of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) announced that all LAUSD schools would remain closed on Thursday, Jan. 9, due to unpredictable winds and hazardous air quality. “A number of clouds of smoke, dust, have permeated into our communities, making conditions less than desirable, and in some instances, downright dangerous,” Carvalho said during a press conference. The district is preparing for the possibility of online learning on Friday, Jan. 10, with a decision expected by Thursday afternoon.

Several schools in the Palisades area were severely impacted by the fires. Palisades Charter Elementary School and Marquez Charter Elementary School were destroyed, while a large portion of Palisades High School sustained significant damage. Carvalho confirmed that the 700 students from the destroyed schools would be relocated to other facilities.

Other districts, including the Burbank Unified School District and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, also announced extended closures. Superintendent Denise Jaramillo of Burbank Unified stated that many staff members were under evacuation orders, making it difficult to safely operate schools. “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,” Jaramillo wrote in a statement.

In addition to school closures, many districts have canceled extracurricular activities, including athletics and after-school programs. Families have been advised to limit outdoor activities and keep devices charged in case of power outages. Some districts, such as the Pasadena Unified School District, have resumed operations after conducting safety assessments, though outdoor activities remain limited due to air quality concerns.

As the fires continue to burn, local authorities are urging residents to stay informed and follow evacuation orders. The California Charter School Association reported that several charter schools in the area have also closed, including campuses operated by Green Dot Public Schools. The Los Angeles County Office of Education is working with districts to coordinate responses and provide resources for affected families.

For updates on the fires, residents can check the latest information on the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, and Hurst Fire. The LAUSD has also set up a hotline for families to receive updates: (626) 821-1783.