With the first day of school approaching, the Los Angeles Unified School District has outlined the precautions it has taken to prepare for a safe return on Aug. 12 at the schools closest to the Lineage warehouse in Boyle Heights.
For weeks, parents have worried about what returning to school will mean for their children, citing the persistent smell of rotting food and concerns about flies and other pests. Some LAUSD teachers have also said they were seeking clearer guidance from the district.
Last week, LAUSD officials held the second of four meetings to update parents on cleaning and environmental monitoring at 53 schools within a three-mile radius of the fire. See a full list of schools here.
As of Tuesday, a district spokesperson told Boyle Heights Beat that all tasks have been completed and administrative staff have already started working at the schools. Here’s what the district has done.
What’s been done before the first day of school:
- School campuses have been cleaned, including floors, walls, furniture, drinking fountains, lunch pavilions, playgrounds and walkways.
- MERV-13 HVAC filters have been replaced and air purifiers have been placed in all classrooms and offices.
- Air quality has been monitored, and dust samples have been tested for potential contaminants.
- Water has been tested and monitored.
The LAUSD’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety has also monitored air quality and sampled dust in and around school sites. According to OEHS Director Carlos Torres, the district’s air quality and dust sampling reports will be available publicly on their website before the first day of school.
“We already know that the air is safe. This is just an extra measure just to make sure. It’s really important for us to rule out the presence of contaminants from the fire,” Torres said at a meeting last Wednesday.
According to a district spokesperson, the South Coast Air Quality Management Division (SCAQMD) and Environmental Protection Agency have installed air monitoring equipment at Eastman Elementary School and Stevenson Middle School, the schools closest to the Lineage warehouse. The monitors are expected to remain in place for the duration of the cleanup activities, according to LAUSD.
What to expect:
- Masks will be available for students and staff upon request.
- Outdoor activities may be modified based on environmental conditions. Principals will decide whether students should remain indoors based on odors and outdoor conditions.
- Psychiatric social workers will be available to support students.
- The Office of Environmental Health & Safety will continue to conduct environmental assessments.
- Families will continue to receive regular updates as new information becomes available.
How to stay updated:
LAUSD will continue to hold informational meetings about campus safety and preparations.
Upcoming meeting dates are:
- Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026
- Monday, Aug. 10, 2026
All meetings will take place virtually at 6 p.m. and can be found at bit.ly/LAUSDBHUpdates2026
For more information and resources, visit https://east.lausd.org/apps/news/.
Need extra support?
LAUSD has two main hotlines available for students and families.
Parent Hotline: (213) 443-1300
The hotline is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding holidays.
Student & Family Wellness Resource Line: (213) 241-3840
The wellness line is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
