Lake Tahoe Unified School District postpones start of school year due to Caldor Fire evacuations

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With the evacuation warnings for the Caldor Fire moving to the Christmas Valley area of Lake Tahoe, the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) has postponed the start of the school year.

Since students live in both the evacuation warning and order areas, school with now start on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.

LTUSD said in a statement the health and safety of all families in the community is at the forefront, especially those that live in areas affection by the warning and order.

"We will continue to closely monitor the fire conditions and re-evaluate school closure as conditions change," said LTUSD.

As a reminder, the following protocols will be followed:

SMOKE / AIR QUALITY

If outside air quality is between 150 PM2.5 and 300 PM2.5 per PurpleAir monitors at or near our school sites, all staff and students are to remain indoors.

If outside air quality is over 300 (per PurpleAir) and is expected to stay above 300 we will cancel school (like a snow day). This will be determined by looking at the PurpleAir sensors at or near school sites; Levels at one school site alone will not be used to make the final decision. A combination of school sites above 300 will result in cancelation. The decision each day will be made no later than 6:30 am and communicated to staff by 6:45 am. If school is not cancelled and air quality worsens during the day, we will continue to monitor and shorten the school day if necessary.

EVACUATION

Families and staff that are on Warning Evacuation should begin preparations for evacuation. Here is a link to Cal Fire’s Pre-Evacuation Steps and Checklists: https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/go-evacuation-guide/pre-evacuation-preparation...

Sign up for El Dorado County CodeRED emergency notification service which alerts residents by telephone, cell phone, text message, email, and social media when there is a threat to the health or safety of residents. Click here to sign up.

El Dorado County Office of Education has a Caldor Fire Resources page with a listing of details and links for Caldor Fire information and resources. This will be kept up to date as new resources are identified: https://edcoe.org/spotlight/caldor-fire-resources-1629247932 .