As LA schools prepare to reopen, toxic ash raises concerns

As schools are affected by the fire in areas of Los Angeles, parents are concerned about toxic ash that could be harmful to their children.

Kelli Ferrone’s daughter’s school, Canyon Charter Elementary, could open as early as Monday. But after clearing the campus just half a mile from the devastating Palisades fire Herself, Ferrone told The Associated Press that she would rather relocate temporarily than reopen quickly.

“(The Los Angeles Unified School District) has never experienced a disaster like this in their history,” Ferrone told the AP. “And I think people are trying really hard, but our school needs a new temporary home with classrooms and teachers who teach in person. That’s the only thing that will make people feel comfortable.”

Ash is a the poisonous soup of burned cars, Electronics, batteries, building materials, paint, furniture and every other type of personal belonging. The ash contains pesticides, asbestos, plastic and lead, which children are more sensitive to, but scientists still don’t know the long-term health effects of exposure.

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Kelli Ferrone takes her daughter to a makeshift school Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, in Los Angeles as they wait for Canyon Charter Elementary School to reopen after being hit by smoke and ash from the Palisades Fire. (Brittany Peterson)

Canyon Charter Elementary School remained closed Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Santa Monica, California, after a nearby fire. (Brittany Peterson)

“Children often have more hand-to-mouth behavior and their bodies grow rapidly in the first few years, so they may be more sensitive to this type of pollution,” Dr. Lisa Patel, a pediatrician and medical executive director of the Society for Climate and Health Consortium, told the AP. “For some time there will be a risk of exposure.”

“All seven locations in the Los Angeles Unified School District that were in close proximity to the Palisades fire were cleaned and inspected by environmental consultants before reopening.” school district said.

La County school districts announce fire-related closures; At least 3 buildings sustain ‘significant damage’

Jungle gym melted and destroyed by fire Eaton is seen at the school on January 15, 2025 in Altadena, California. (John Locher, file)

The work “was carried out following the guidelines for schools that have experienced fires published by: California Department of Education, California Environmental Protection Agency, California EMS, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the US Environmental Protection Agency,” Lausd said.

While some struggle with the safety of schools that are still standing, others have no school to return to.

Smoke plumes from the Hughes Fire over Castaic, California, on January 22, 2025. (Ethan Swope, file)

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“The community is gone, my son’s school is gone, my son’s mom’s house burned down,” Chris Pratt, star of “Guardians of the Galaxy” shared on social media. Pratt and his ex-wife, Anna Faris, share a 12-year-old son, Jack.

Fox News’ Stephanie Giang-Paunon and The Associated Press contributed to this report.