Airport Fire Closes Some Schools in Orange County
Trabuco Elementary and Robinson Elementary in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District have been closed since Sept. 10.
This is a developing story. Spotlight Schools will continue to update this article as we get new information. Last updated Sept. 13 at 10:50 p.m.
The Airport Fire that was sparked Sept. 9 in Orange County has shut down some local schools.
The blaze was accidentally sparked Monday afternoon by public works crews in Trabuco Canyon near an area used by a remote-control flying club. The fire has grown to more than 23,000 acres and is 9% contained, according to CalFire. It triggered evacuation orders and warnings in O.C. and the smoke it's producing has caused unhealthy air quality in parts of the region. While the fire started in Orange County has since spread to Riverside County and has destroyed 22 structures.
The fire caused the Saddleback Valley Unified School District to shut down Robinson Elementary and Trabuco Elementary schools starting on Sept. 10. In a message posted online Friday, the district said it hopes to return students to in-person learning on Monday.
"In the event of continued evacuation orders and road closures, in-person learning for Robinson and Trabuco elementary schools may take place at three alternate sites starting on Monday, including Cielo Vista, Glen Yermo, and Trabuco Mesa elementary schools," the district wrote in a Sept. 13 post on its website.
All other Saddleback Valley USD schools are open.
Trabuco Elementary, a K-6 campus with 95 students, is described as "a hidden gem, nestled in between the old oak trees of Trabuco Canyon," according to its website. It backs up to O'Neill Regional Park where students often go on nature hikes. The school also has a farm and garden.
Trabuco sent out an encouraging message to its families on its Instagram account on Sept. 10. "Hang in there, Trabuco Coyotes!" it read and continued, "Student, staff, and family safety remains the number one priority for our school. We miss you all so much and are here if you need anything!"
Robinson Elementary serves about 500 students and is located on Lindsay Drive in Trabuco Canyon. A Sept. 10 post on the school's Parent Teacher Association Instagram page expressed gratitude to the people battling the fire, "THANK YOU to all of our Firefighters and first responders working tirelessly to keep us all safe. We appreciate you and we are grateful for your bravery and dedication to our community."
"We understand the challenges and disruptions that the ongoing school closures have caused for our SVUSD students, families, and staff, and we deeply sympathize with everyone affected. Please know that your safety and well-being remain our top priority as we navigate the circumstances surrounding the Airport Fire together," reads a statement from Robert Craven, Assistant Superintendent of Saddleback Valley USD.
Santa Margarita Catholic High School, in Rancho Santa Margarita cancelled classes on Sept. 10 and 11. It resumed classes on Sept. 12 on a modified schedule according to a post on its website. While the school was not threatened by flames, it said the ongoing fire was affecting many campus families, faculty, and staff.
"We will continue to monitor the fire and air quality closely and provide updates as needed," the school's website read.
The Irvine Unified School District modified outdoor activities and athletics due to poor air quality, including holding P.E. classes and recess indoors and adjusting athletics practices.
"The safety of our students, staff, and families is our top priority. We are working closely with the Orange County Fire Authority, the Irvine Police Department, and SCAQMD and will continue to monitor the situation," reads a post on the IUSD website.
We will continue to update this story.
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