Bay Area schools, universities close because of unhealthy air quality
OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - Schools and universities canceled classes because of the unhealthy air quality billowing over the Bay Area from the Camp Fire in Butte County.
The West Contra Costa Unified School District sent out a notice saying that schools will be closed on Friday.
"Students and teachers will get an early start to the Thanksgiving holiday break and I hope the extra time will allow you to recover from the difficult week we have experienced," Supt. Matthew Duffy wrote. "Making the decision to close schools is never easy. During last year’s North Bay fires, the air quality was significantly worse throughout much of the Bay Area, but impacted fewer days. The smoke from the Camp Fire has not reached last year’s levels, but has lasted a longer period of time."
Oakland Unified School District, all public schools within Alameda County, and Mt. Diablo Unified School District also announced that classes will be canceled on Friday. Additionally, AC Transit announced a one-day cancellation of service to schools in Alameda and Contra Costa counties in response to the school closures.
The air quality was even worse on Thursday than it has been the previous week, when the wildfire broke out nearly two hours from the Bay Area.
Schools that were closed on Thursday include:
Alameda County - All public schools within the county
Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward
San Francisco Unified School District closed Friday.
San Francisco Archdiocese closes all schools Friday (including Sacred Heart Preparatory).
South San Francisco Unified closed.
Oakland Unified School District closed Friday.
Los Altos School District, Mountain View Whisman School District and Mountain View Los Altos High School District will be closed on Friday.
Evergreen College in San Jose. Closed through the weekend. Expected to reopen Nov. 19.
Santa Clara University closed on Thursday and Friday. Holiday week through Nov. 23. School to reopen Nov. 26.
Mission College in Santa Clara closed on Thursday. Updates will be provided at 7:30 a.m. on Friday.
De Anza College in Cupertino closed Thursday.
Mills College in Oakland closed Thursday.
Cal State East Bay in Hayward closed Thursday.
San Francisco State University closed Thursday to Saturday.
San Jose State University closed Thursday and Friday.
Lake County schools are closed Thursday.
Presentation High School in San Jose is closed Friday.
San Ramon Valley Schools-Danville are closed Friday.
Saint Francis High School in Mountain View is closed Friday including athletic practices.
Officials announced Thursday evening that schools in Lake County will also be closed on Friday. The closures include:
Clearlake Creativity School
Hance Community School
Kelseyville Unified School District
Konocti Unified School District
Lake County International Charter School
Lakeport Unified School District
Middletown Unified School District
All LCOE Preschools, except the Lucerne Preschool, will be closed Friday
Upper lake Unified School District and Lucerne Elementary School District will be open on Friday.
Check with your individual district for cancelations.