Some Southern California schools were closed on Tuesday as fierce Santa Ana winds heightened wildfire risk, and education officials are still evaluating if they’ll close on Wednesday as well.
Why It Matters
Santa Ana winds are potent, dangerous gusts that whip through from the mountains to the coast of Southern California. Only a month ago, the winds spurred the Franklin fire in Malibu that ripped across thousands of acres and endangered countless homes.
Around noon Tuesday, the winds escalated the rapid spread of the Palisades fire in Los Angeles County. The blaze has reached at least 200 acres and prompted officials to issue evacuations.
A smoke-filled sky is pictured as a brush fire roars in Pacific Palisades, California, on January 7. Several schools closed on Tuesday due to the Santa Ana winds that escalated the wildfire.
David Swanson/AFP/Getty
What to Know
Red flag warnings were still in place on Tuesday night for parts of Southern California and will remain in effect at least through Wednesday afternoon before the winds die down. National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists also issued high wind warnings and wind advisories. Gusts could reach up to 100 mph in some areas, which is equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane.
School Closures Update for Pacific Palisades Wildfire
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has temporarily relocated three of its schools amid the ongoing Palisades Fire, moving Palisades and Marquez elementary schools to Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet, and Paul Revere Middle School to University High School Charter.
School Closures Update for Santa Ana Winds
On Tuesday, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District’s (SMMUSD) four Malibu schools closed due to red flag warnings and power shutoffs in the area. The ongoing Santa Ana winds prompted the closures. This included Webster Elementary, Malibu Elementary, Malibu Middle School and Malibu High School.
The district’s 11 Santa Monica schools were open on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for the district told Newsweek that officials will make a final decision about whether the schools will be open or closed on Wednesday by 6 a.m. that morning.
What People Are Saying
A LAUSD spokesperson told Newsweek: “Impacted schools are communicating directly with families. We are continuously evaluating the situation and will make changes as necessary.”
An SMMUSD spokesperson told Newsweek: “It’s a dangerous situation today and our top priority is the safety of our students and staff. The decision about tomorrow will be made by 6 a.m. tomorrow based on the conditions.”
What Happens Next
A final decision on whether some California schools will be open on Wednesday will be made by early that morning.
The Santa Ana winds are expected to die down by Wednesday night.
