**Preparing for Wildfires: Los Angeles Schools Close and Brace for Fire, Wind, and Ash**
Wildfires, ash, and power outages have thrown Los Angeles communities into chaos, forcing over 12% of the state’s schools to halt in-person instruction, with nearly 800 schools in Los Angeles Unified affected. The blazes, ranging from 350 to 17,000 acres, have wreaked havoc across Los Angeles County, claiming at least five lives and destroying thousands of buildings.
**Schools Damaged and Districts Closed Due to Fires**
Eight schools, including Palisades Charter High School, Palisades Charter Elementary School, and Marquez Elementary School, have been damaged in Los Angeles Unified and beyond. The damage is severe, with some campuses reduced to rubble. Pasadena Unified has also faced the brunt of the fires, with five schools damaged by the Eaton Canyon fire, which remains uncontained.
**School Closures**
As fires rage on, more than 1,000 public schools have closed, impacting over 9% of students statewide. Districts like Alhambra Unified, Arcadia Unified, Glendale Unified, and others have opted to shut down. The Los Angeles Unified School District, the state’s largest, has closed all campuses and district offices through Friday due to extreme winds and unsafe air quality.
**Closures Among Colleges and Universities**
Colleges and universities like UCLA, Cal State Los Angeles, and the California Institute of Technology have shifted to online instruction to ensure the safety of students and staff. The Los Angeles Community College District and community colleges like Glendale and Pasadena have also halted in-person classes.
**Support and Relief Services**
To aid families and school employees in need, the California Department of Education and SupplyBank.org Disaster Relief Fund are offering emergency resources like housing assistance, food, and clothing. LAUSD has expanded meal pickups at various locations, and the YMCA is providing free child care for displaced families and essential workers.
In the face of adversity, the community has rallied together, with initiatives like GoFundMe campaigns supporting those affected by the fires. The Los Angeles County Office of Education is standing by to assist school districts and communities as they navigate these challenging times.
As we grapple with the impact of wildfires on our schools and neighborhoods, it’s heartening to see the outpouring of support and resilience from the community. Let’s continue to stand together and offer a helping hand to those in need during these trying times.
