A series of large wildfires across Southern California have prompted a series of evacuations.
The L.A.U.S.D. says all L.A. Unified schools in the San Fernando Valley as well as another 17 schools on the city's Westside will be closed for the remainder of the week. Charter schools as well as adult schools are also expected to close.
The decision closes at least 265 schools in the district, which have been affected by wildfires burning around Los Angeles. Officials say they made the decision because of the "expected high winds and the ongoing fires in our area, and the air quality."
The L.A.U.S.D. posted a list on its website detailing exactly which schools have been closed. Students and staff at affected schools should not go to school Thursday or Friday the website stated.
Here's a quick rundown of evacuations and where you can go to find help:
Thomas Fire
About 50,000 people have been evacuated from over 15,00 homes in Ventura County. Fire officials warn that winds could push flames farther into the city of Ventura. As of 6pm Wednesday evening, the fire had scorched 90,000 acres and was five percent contained. About 150 structures have been destroyed. Fire officials did not specify if those were homes or businesses.
Here are the current areas under evacuation orders in the area:
- Santa Paula: east of Dickenson Road, north of Monte Vista Drive along Highway 150 and south of Thomas Aquinas College to the area of Say Road.
- Santa Paula: west of Dickenson Road to Atmore Road, north of Foothill Road and west to Wheeler Canyon Road.
- Upper Ojai: north of Highway 150 from Koenigstein Road west to the Dennison Grade, north to Reeves Road, east to McAndrew Road and north to Grand Avenue.
- Santa Paula and Ventura: north of Foothill Road west to Wheeler Canyon Road, north to Canada Larga Road and east to Barlow Canyon Road.
- Ventura: south of Highway 33, east of Main St, north of Foothill Road and Hall Canyon Road and west of Canada Larga Road.
- Ventura: Teloma east to Brent Street, Telegraph Road north to north of Foothill Road
- Ventura: Victoria Road east to Hill Road, Telegraph Road north to Foothill Road.
- Ventura: North Ashwood Avenue east to Hill Road, Telegraph Road north to Foothill Road.
- East Ojai Valley: Carne Road east to McAndrew Road, Reeves Road north to Thacher Road .
- Ojai Valley Inn area: east of hwy 33 west of Creek Road south of Ojai Valley Inn south of Hwy 150.
- Entire community of Casitas Springs.
Creek Fire
The Creek Fire currently in the Kagel Canyon area above Sylmar has forced the evacuations of more than 100,000 residents. Thirty-five schools in the San Fernando Valley area will be closed today.
The Foothill (210) Freeway has been closed in both directions while fire crews battle the blaze. Officials say they expect the freeway will remain closed in both directions until at least tomorrow morning. The closure is between the Golden State (5) Freeway and Sunland Blvd in the east. The interchange between the 118 Freeway and at the 210 Freeway has also been closed. Motorists are advised to take alternate routes to the south.
Evacuation centers were opened at:
-- Sylmar Recreation Center, 13109 Borden Ave.;
-- Branford Recreation Center, 13306 Branford St., Arleta;
-- Sun Valley Recreation Center, 8133 Vineland Ave.;
-- Granada Hills Recreation Center, 16730 Chatsworth St.;
-- Stonehurst Recreation Center, 9901 Dronfield Ave., Sun Valley;
-- Valley Plaza Recreation Center, 12240 Archwood St., North Hollywood;
-- North Hollywood Recreation Center, 11430 Chandler Blvd.;
-- Chatsworth South Recreation Center, 22360 Devonshire St.;
-- Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Recreation Center, 14201 Huston St., Sherman Oaks;
-- Mason Recreation Center, 10500 Mason Ave., Chatsworth;
-- Woodland Hills Recreation Center, 5858 Shoup Ave.;
-- Delano Recreation Center, 15100 Erwin St., Van Nuys;
-- Balboa Recreation Center, 17015 Burbank Blvd., Encino;
-- Victory Vineland Recreation Center, 11117 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood;
-- Yosemite Recreation Center, 1840 Yosemite Drive, Eagle Rock;
-- Glassell Park Recreation Area, 3650 Verdugo Road; and
-- Chevy Chase Recreation Center, 4165 Chevy Chase Drive, Atwater Village.
All of the centers were accepting evacuees and pets.
LAUSD officials said the following district campuses will be closed Wednesday:
-- Mount Gleason Middle School;
-- Verdugo Hills High School;
-- Apperson Street Elementary School;
-- Brainard Elementary;
-- Harding Elementary School;
-- Hubbard Elementary School;
-- Mountain View Elementary School;
-- Pinewood Elementary;
-- Pinewood Early Education Center;
-- Stonehurst Elementary;
-- Sunland Elementary;
-- Mount Lukens Continuation High School;
-- Plainview Academic Charter Academy; and
-- Vaughn Next Century Learning Center.
Some charter schools are also closed today, but district officials say parents and guardians should check with the school's charter operator for the most current information.
-- Alliance Marine-Innovation & Technology 6-12 Complex
-- Bert Corona Charter School
-- Bert Corona Charter High School
-- Discovery Charter Preparatory School
-- Fenton Avenue Charter School
-- Fenton Primary Center
-- Montague Charter Academy
-- N.E.W. Academy Canoga Park
-- Pacoima Charter School
-- PUC Lakeview Charter Academy
-- PUC Community Charter Elementary School
-- PUC Community Charter Middle School
-- PUC Community Charter Early College High School
-- PUC Inspire Charter Academy
-- PUC Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy
-- PUC Lakeview Charter High School
-- PUC Triumph Charter Academy
-- PUC Triumph Charter High School
-- Valor Academy Elementary School
-- Valor Academy Middle School
-- Valor Academy High School
Rye Canyon Fire
A brush fire broke out in Santa Clarita near Rye Canyon Loop Tuesday morning that burned at least 5,000 acres and is currently five percent contained.
The fire was reported around 9:35 am this morning, near Newhall Ranch Road according to the LAFD. The Golden State (5) Freeway was closed near State Route 126 in both directions for most of the day while firefighters battled the flames, but it was reopened Tuesday afternoon Santa Clarita city officials say.
Evacuations centers have been established:
Valencia High School, 27801 Dickason Drive
College of the Canyons, 6455 Rockwell Canyon Road.
Skirball Fire
Northbound lanes of the 405 Freeway remain closed, southbound lanes were reopened earlier this morning. The CHP says lanes are closed between the 101 and 10 freeways and transition roads and connectors are also closed creating major gridlock. So far, 475 acres have burned and is only five percent contained. Eleven homes have been destroyed, along with an apartment building.
The LAPD is evacuating neighborhoods nearby as more than 350 firefighters from the LAFD, six fixed-wing aircraft, and a number of helicopters and at least 52 engines are on the scene.
Currently, mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Moraga Drive, Linda Flora Drive and Casiano Road down to Bellagio Road according to the LAFD.
Evacuation centers have been established at Delano Recreation Center, 15100 Erwin St., Van Nuys; Balboa RC, 17015 Burbank Blvd., Van Nuys; Sherman Oaks RC, 14201 Huston St., Sherman Oaks; and Westwood RC, 1350 Sepulveda Blvd., Westwood.
The following schools have been closed as a result of the Skirball Fire:
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District closed all of its schools for the day.
UCLA says any classes starting after 12 p.m. on Wednesday would be closed, but not due to any fire danger but instead because of the major traffic delays in the area. Tonight's basketball game at Pauley Pavilion has also been cancelled.
Getty officials say the Getty Villa outside Malibu will also be closed tomorrow in response to the fires.