Los Angeles, Jan 11 || Devastating wildfires continue to rage across different parts of Los Angeles County, leading to widespread disruptions, including school closures and the cancellation of entertainment, sports, and community events.
The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest public school district in the United States, closed schools on Thursday and Friday to fend students and staff from hazardous air quality. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho emphasised that travelling to school posed greater risks than staying at home, particularly for children with respiratory conditions.
Some campuses near evacuation zones also experienced power outages and low attendance before the closures were announced.
"We had to evacuate, so our lives are a mess, and the whole city is at a standstill," said Pacific Palisades resident Kenneth, who only gave his first name to, "but at least we're still alive."
Currently, six wildfires are still burning across Los Angeles County, scorching nearly 36,000 acres. One of the biggest, the Palisades fire, has burned over 21,300 acres and damaged or destroyed more than 5,300 structures so far.