Pasadena Unified School District announced Friday, Jan. 10, that schools will remain closed until Friday, Jan. 17, due to the severe impact caused by the Eaton fire.
“The Eaton Fire has brought unimaginable losses to our students, families, and staff. Our hearts are with everyone affected by this tragedy,” the district said in a letter to parents, teachers and staff. “The health and safety of our PUSD community remain our highest priority as we navigate the significant impact of the fire on so many of our students, families, and staff,”
Social media posts have said that many of the district’s teachers have lost their homes to the Eaton fire. However, it’s unclear at this point how many exactly have endured such losses.
“Nearly half of our employees reside within the evacuation zone,” the district’s letter said. “Many of them, like so many of our students and families, have lost their homes.”
The fire is at 3% containment, PUSD said. Mandatory and warning evacuation orders are still in place, and air quality in the area remains “unhealthy.”
“These conditions, combined with damage to school facilities and safety concerns, make it impossible to reopen schools for in-person learning at this time,” the school district said. “After a thorough evaluation and consultation with local emergency management officials, the Superintendent’s Leadership Team has determined that it is not safe to resume in-person learning next week.”