Pasadena, CA — In the wake of the devastation caused by the Eaton Fire, Pasadena Unified School District has announced a phased reopening plan over a two-week period to ensure campuses are safe and ready to welcome students back.

The Eaton Fire significantly impacted the District, with severe damage reported at five campuses: Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School, Franklin Elementary (closed in 2020), and three charter schools—Edison, Loma Alta, and Noyes. More than 10,000 of PUSD’s 14,000 students were evacuated from their homes. To restore a sense of normalcy and provide stability for students, campuses located further from the fire’s impact will reopen first, allowing the community to begin its path toward healing.

“We will reopen, we will rebuild, and we will rise,” Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco said. “Despite the challenges we face, our commitment to our students and families remains unwavering. We are dedicated to coming together, rebuilding, and ensuring the well-being and success of our community.”

Pasadena Unified’s Maintenance and Operations team, working alongside more than 1,000 contractors, has been clearing debris and conducting extensive sanitization efforts to meet environmental and safety tests. To date, 10 tons of debris have been removed from affected campuses, and rigorous cleaning is ongoing as sites become accessible. Each site will be reopened only after testing for safe levels by the California Office of Emergency Services. The specific site reopenings are based on these test results, but six sites and three programs are expected to reopen in the next week.

“In times of hardship, our District community has always shown remarkable strength and unity, and this time is no different,” Board President Jennifer Hall Lee said. “The challenges of the Eaton Fire have tested us in unthinkable ways, yet I am still struck by how much resilience and compassion I have seen from our community. This has truly been a testament to the spirit of Pasadena Unified.”

The fire’s impact extends beyond school campuses, with 1,387 employees residing within the evacuation zones, many of whom tragically lost their homes. Pasadena Unified administrators, teachers, and staff have worked to support affected families and community members, providing resources such as housing assistance, childcare services through community partners, and other critical supports. Information on available services can be found on the District’s Fire Relief website.

To address immediate needs, the District has also been providing grab-and-go meals at multiple locations, distributing more than 2,800 meals to families in the community since Jan. 10.

“We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of support and solidarity from all corners of our community,” Dr. Blanco said. “Your strength and compassion are the bedrock of our recovery efforts. Together, we will navigate these challenging times, rebuild our schools, and ensure a brighter future for the Pasadena Unified family.”

Pasadena Unified remains steadfast in its commitment to restoring its campuses and supporting the community as it recovers from the Eaton Fire, reaffirming its dedication to the well-being and success of students and families.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

PUSD_EATON1: To address immediate needs after the devastation caused by the Eaton Fire, Pasadena Unified School District has been providing grab-and-go meals at multiple locations, distributing more than 2,800 meals to families in the community since Jan. 10.

PUSD_EATON2: Pasadena Unified’s Maintenance and Operations team, working alongside more than 1,000 contractors, has been clearing debris and conducting extensive sanitization efforts to meet environmental and safety tests after the devastation caused by the Eaton Fire.