The wildfires that swept through Los Angeles last week wreaked devastation on the lives of students, educators, and families. As the community struggles to recover, thousands of students face the harsh reality that their schools may never reopen, while educators and families navigate significant losses.
With at least seven school buildings reduced to rubble, Los Angeles Unified School District is scrambling to relocate displaced students.
The work of photojournalists who braved the fires and their aftermath captures haunting images of what was left behind — the charred frame of a school bus, precious preschoolers’ artwork — and what has been lost forever.
Firefighters prepare to fight flames from inside Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School auditorium as the school burns during the Eaton Fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California, on Jan. 8 (Josh Edelson/Getty Images)A firefighter opens the door to a burning auditorium inside Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School during the Eaton Fire in Altadena on Jan. 8. (Josh Edelson/Getty Images)Sparks fly from the wheel of a burned school bus as the Eaton Fire moves through the area on Jan. 8 in Altadena. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)Firefighters scramble while preparing to fight flames at Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School auditorium as the school burns during the Eaton Fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California on Jan. 8. (Josh Edelson/Getty Images)A view of Franklin Elementary school, which was destroyed by the Eaton Fire on Jan. 10 in Altadena, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)A partially melted tricycle is pictured at the Aveson School of Leaders charter elementary school in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on Jan. 14. (Agustin Paullier/Getty Images)Students’ belongings remain at Marquez Charter Elementary School after fire torched the campus in Pacific Palisades. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images)A burned mural is pictured outside a classroom at the Aveson School of Leaders charter elementary school in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on Jan. 14. (Agustin Paullier/Getty Images)Aveson School of Leaders was burned by the Eaton Fire on Wednesday, Jan. 15. (Jason Armond/Getty Images)Students’ artwork from the Community United Methodist Church’s preschool. (Drew A. Kelley/Getty Images)A burnt school bus at Aveson Charter School on Jan. 13. (Frederic J. Brown/Getty Images)Students’ belongings remain at Marquez Charter Elementary School on Jan. 15, after the Paradise Fire torched the campus in Pacific Palisades. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images)Noyes Elementary School at the top of Allen Avenue is a complete loss due to the Eaton Fire in Altadena as seen on Sunday, Jan. 12. (Will Lester/Getty Images)The Eliot Art Magnet School auditorium along Lake Avenue in Altadena after it was destroyed by the Eaton Fire on Jan. 10. (David Crane/Getty Images)Students, parents and teachers of Odyssey Charter School South, which burned down in the Eaton Fire, gather at Vincent Lugo Park in San Gabriel on Jan. 14. (Jason Armond/Getty Images)LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho tours Nora Sterry Elementary as Fernie Najera, an LAUSD Carpenter, works on getting the school prepared for displaced students on Jan. 12. (Jason Armond/Getty Images)State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond helps distribute Grab & Go meals to students and families impacted by the Eaton Fire at Madison Elementary School in Pasadena on Monday, Jan. 13. (Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News/Getty Images)Brian Woolf, a parent of a student from Odyssey Charter School South, gets emotional at a park meeting with other parents, students and educators. (Jason Armond/Getty Images)Anne Thornberg picks up her daughters Frances, 6, left, and Harriett, 9, who attend Project Camp, free child care to families impacted by the fires, at Eagle Rock Recreation Center on Jan. 15. (Gina Ferazzi/Getty Images)Children who had attended Palisades Charter Elementary School are welcomed back to classes, now being held at the Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet in Brentwood on Jan. 15. Brentwood school will serve as a temporary location for students. (David Crane/Getty Images)Joseph Koshki hugs his son, third-grader Jaden Koshki, as they are welcomed back to school by Kathy Flores at Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet in Brentwood on Jan. 15. (David Crane/Getty Images)A mother kisses her child goodbye on the first day back to school at Palisades Charter Elementary School which has been re-located to the Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet in Brentwood on Jan. 15. (David Crane/Getty Images)A displaced student from Marquez Elementary School hugs a bear as she resumes class at Nora Sterry Elementary School in Los Angeles on Jan. 15. (Chris Delmas/Getty Images)