The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) announced that most schools and offices will reopen on Monday, Jan. 13, following improved conditions across the region after last week’s wildfires.
“Conditions have improved for a majority of areas across the Los Angeles region, and the District is confident it is safe for students and employees to return to campuses,” the district stated.
Key Updates:
- Reopening Schedule: Schools will operate on a full inclement weather schedule, limiting outdoor and athletic activities.
- Masks Available: The district will provide masks to students and staff.
- High-Impact Areas: Schools in areas still under mandatory evacuation orders will remain closed.
- Power Restored: While approximately 50 schools experienced power outages last week, power has been restored to all except Paul Revere Middle School, which remains in a mandatory evacuation zone.
LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho confirmed during a Sunday press conference that all schools were inspected and cleaned to ensure safety before reopening.
The district had closed all schools on Jan. 8 and 9 due to the wildfires, which have caused significant disruption across Los Angeles County. Paul Revere Middle School and other facilities in evacuation zones will stay closed until further notice.
Families are encouraged to check LAUSD communications for updates on closures and conditions in their specific areas.
The toll of destruction from the fires continues to climb, with over 5,000 structures—426 of them homes—reported destroyed or severely damaged. More than 100,000 residents have been displaced by the fires.
Preliminary damage assessments suggest an economic impact between $135 billion and $150 billion, according to AccuWeather, though government officials have yet to release an official estimate.
A curfew remains in effect for areas under mandatory evacuation and evacuation warnings, as authorities work to ensure public safety and prevent further casualties.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has deployed over 3,000 personnel to battle the wildfires. However, LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley made a public appeal for increased funding and resources, emphasizing that budget cuts have hindered their capacity to combat the deadly blazes effectively.
