California Department of Education Announces Updated Guidance on Air Quality for Schools During Wildfire Smoke Days

SACRAMENTO—The California Department of Education (CDE) is announcing updated School Outdoor Air Quality Activity Recommendations (PDF), intended to provide California’s local educational agencies (LEAs) with resources to make informed decisions about conducting school activities and closures based on local air quality conditions when their communities are impacted by wildfire smoke.

With record-setting wildfires occurring year after year, California schools are impacted by smoke now more than ever. These necessary, clear guidelines will help advance local conversations among school districts, public health officers, air districts, and the community and provide educational leaders with the information they need to take actions that best protect student health.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond began his tenure during the devastating 2018 Camp Fire and has led through some of the largest, deadliest, and most destructive wildfires in California’s history. Superintendent Thurmond and the CDE continue to work tirelessly to secure resources for devastated communities and support the well-being of students and educators during worsening natural disasters intensified by climate change. In response to these conditions, Superintendent Thurmond also established the first Emergency Services Team at the CDE to ensure that schools have the emergency support that they need to respond to environmental disasters that occur year-round.

“It is vital that we understand the harm of wildfire smoke and our schools have a clear plan for how to safely navigate these unfortunate circumstances,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. “These updated guidelines help schools develop a clear plan of action that encourages coordination with their local health and air agencies. Coupled with the CDE’s other emergency preparedness efforts, our LEAs have the support they need so they can continue to keep students safe.”

“We know that continued exposure to wildfire smoke can impact the health of students across the Golden State,” said initiative organizer Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast). “Whether that’s getting to and from school, playing outside, or learning in the classroom, our kids deserve to breathe clean, healthy air. These critical new standards build upon our work with Superintendent Thurmond on this critical issue and will help ensure local school districts can respond to smoke-related impacts in their communities.”

To use the guidelines, LEAs will need to monitor local air quality conditions using air quality index (AQI) tracking tools recommended by their local Air District on the California Air Resources Board website. LEAs can then align their local AQI numbers within the CDE Air Quality Index and Activity Recommendation chart (PDF) as well as consider factors such as the availability and quality of school building air filtration systems, to make informed decisions on whether to cancel classes, remain open, or modify school activities due to smoky conditions. The chart serves as an added resource for LEAs to consider and is not intended to supersede existing policies and guidelines established by local authorities.

The guidance was made possible through a collaboration between the CDE, the California Department of Public Health, the California Air Resources Board, the California County Superintendents, and the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association.

For more resources and general guidance for schools regarding air quality, please see the CDE Air Quality web page.

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Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100