Wildfires burning in Southern California are sending up smoke and ash across the region, leading to poor air quality and some school districts to close campuses and closely monitor conditions.
There are three major wildfires currently threatening Southern California. The Airport fire, Bridge fire and Line fire consumed more than 100,000 acres combined by Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Map: Where the Airport, Bridge and Line fires are burning in Southern California
The following school closures are in place:
Airport fire
Corona-Norco Unified has closed three elementary schools through the week. Wilson, Temescal Valley, and Todd elementary schools were closed, the district posted on Facebook. District officials are in close communication with public safety officials and the district would continue to update parents, the post says.
Lake Elsinore Unified School District closed schools again Thursday, Sept. 12. “We are working closely with our public safety and emergency partners to determine when we can reopen schools,” the website says. An update on future plans was to come at 3 p.m. via Parent Square and on the district’s Facebook page. Check there for the latest.
Robinson and Trabuco elementary schools, in Saddleback Valley Unified, remain closed Thursday. District officials have been working closely with Orange County fire officials and the sheriff’s department, they say on the district website. “All other SVUSD schools remain safe and open.”
Other districts in the region continue to monitor conditions, saying they will update as information becomes available.
Bridge fire
The Mt. Baldy Joint Elementary School District has closed schools through Friday, Sept. 13, because of the ongoing wildfire threat, the district website says.
Snowline Joint Unified has closed all schools through Friday. “Over the weekend, we will re-evaluate conditions and provide an update on our plans for reopening by Sunday,” officials say on the district’s website.
Line fire
All schools in Bear Valley Unified School District will remain closed through Sept. 13. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as needed,” the district’s site says.
Redlands Unified School District schools will remain closed for all students and staff through Sept. 13. Right now, the “plan is for all RUSD students and employees to return to school on Monday, Sept. 16,” Superintendent Juan J. Cabral says in a message on the district website.
Rim of the World Unified, will keep schools closed through Friday, “or until further notice,” district officials posted on Facebook.
San Bernardino City Unified held an emergency meeting Tuesday night where the school board made the decision to close schools for the remainder of the week. A message to district staff and families was sent afterward.
Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified announced Tuesday evening that ”all schools, facilities and offices would remain closed for the rest of the week.”
Colton Joint Unified also announced schools would remain closed. “This will include all athletics events, extracurricular activities and Saturday schools,” the district says on its website.
“In light of the ongoing and unpredictable hazardous air quality caused by local wildfires” Rialto Unified also canceled classes through the week, officials posted on Facebook Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa and San Bernardino Valley College in San Bernardino announced campuses would remain closed and reopen Monday, Sept. 16. The “closure includes the cancellation of all classes, services, and work operations, except for emergency personnel,” the website says.
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While Fontana Unified has kept schools open, the district has shifted to a minimum day schedule for schools on Thursday, Sept. 12 and Friday, Sept. 13. “Schools will be open … and operate on the district’s minimum day schedule,” officials say on the district website. “TK PM and State Preschool PM will be canceled for the rest of the week.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.