Holy Fire Delays Start of Corona Norco, Lake Elsinore Unified Schools Districts

The Holy Fire, which continues to burn on the Riverside and Orange County line, has prompted two school districts to delay the start of school.

The Corona Norco Unified School District announced that schools located south of the 91 Freeway and east of Border Avenue in Corona will remain closed due to the Holy Fire, pushing back the start of school to Aug. 20.

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The following schools have delayed start dates for the CNUSD:

High Schools:

-Corona High
-Centennial High
-Santiago High
-Pollard High
-Orange Grove

Intermediate Schools:

-Citrus Hills Intermediate
-Corona Fundamental Intermediate
-El Cerrito Middle
-Raney Intermediate
-K-8 Academies
-Home Gardens Academy
-Todd Academy

Elementary Schools:

-Susan B. Anthony
-Eisenhower Elementary
-Foothill Elementary
-Franklin Elementary
-Garretson Elementary
-Jefferson Elementary
-Lincoln Fundamental
-Orange Elementary
-Stallings Elementary
-Temescal Valley Elementary
-Vicentia Elementary
-Wilson Elementary

In addition, the Lake Elsinore Unified School District also delayed its start date by a week to Aug. 20.

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With the Holy Fire still burning, ash and smoke is an issue, as is fire damage. The smoke continues to linger, making breathing a health concern.

"Because of the heat and temperatures, we may have lost some systems such as data systems that are very sensitive to high temperatures," Mark Dennis of the Lake Elsinore Unified School District told NBC4.

The problem, though, is two-fold.

With school delayed, working parents are scrambling to find babysitters for their children for the unexpected week off.

"Being evacuated and now our schools have been delayed, to find babysitters for the week, you know," said Dani Hall, a parent, sharing her concerns.

To help parents, Summer Kids Camp has not been extended at Circle City Center to give parents an added childcare option.

"It is $110 for the week for residents and $140 for non-residents," Abbie Schellberg of the Corona Public Library says.

Since the governor declared a state of emergency for the Holy Fire, school administrators say students most likely will not have to make up for the missed days, so the school year should end on time.

For more information, please visit the FAQs put forth by the CNUSD here.