Wildfires in Los Angeles have destroyed schools and outdoor learning areas, impacting families and communities.

Her daughter, Ceiba, loved her adventures with a group called Hawks. They explored places like Eaton Canyon, which is now devastated by fire. Ceiba learned to respect nature, asking plants for permission before taking samples. She even found a secret path behind a waterfall that she couldn’t stop talking about.
For parents like Irina, it’s not just about losing homes; it’s about losing those special places where kids learned and played. The fires have wiped out schools and nature-based programs that were so important, especially after the pandemic.
Miguel Ordeñana, whose kids go to Odyssey Charter School, shared how the community is struggling. Many families have lost their homes, and it’s tough to explain this to kids. The air quality has also been bad, making it hard to access some areas, even if they weren’t burned.
All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District closed due to heavy smoke. The California Department of Education reported that 335 schools across several counties were shut down. It’s unclear when they’ll reopen.
Irina remembers feeling stuck during the pandemic, but outdoor education helped her reconnect with nature. She believes these programs will come back, but it’s uncertain when it’ll be safe to return to places like Eaton Canyon.
Richard Smart, the superintendent of Eaton Canyon, said the nature center is mostly gone. It was a popular spot for school trips, and losing it feels devastating for the community.
Many parents are now left wondering where to take their kids as the fires continue. Lila Higgins from the Natural History Museum emphasizes the importance of connecting with nature after such disasters.
Time spent outdoors is crucial for kids’ development, helping them learn and grow. Greg Pauly, another expert, hopes that places like Eaton Canyon will eventually welcome field trips again, but it’ll take time.
This is the reality of living in Southern California, where wildfires change lives and landscapes all too often.