Community Message

Dear Vista USD Community,

Our hearts go out to the residents of Los Angeles County as they face the challenges brought by the ongoing wildfires. The impact of such events is devastating, and we stand in solidarity with our neighbors to the north as they work to protect lives, homes, and communities during this difficult time.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for our area until 6 pm Friday evening. We could see dry Santa Ana winds from the Northeast that are 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up 70 mph. Although there have not been any significant fires impacting our county, any new wildfires that develop have the potential to spread rapidly. Please remain vigilant as these dry winds could continue into next week as well.

These unfortunate events remind us of the importance of being prepared for emergencies. While we hope to avoid such disasters in our own community, it is essential that we remain proactive in ensuring the safety and well-being of our families and neighbors, should a Public Safety Power Shut-off (PSPS) or evacuation be necessary.

Here are a few steps you can take to stay prepared:

1. Create an Emergency Kit: Assemble essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, and important documents in a portable kit.

2. Develop a Family Emergency Plan: Discuss evacuation routes, meeting points, and communication plans with your family members.

3. Stay Informed: Sign up for local emergency alerts and monitor updates from reliable sources, such as Watch Duty.

4. Clear Defensible Space: If you live in areas prone to wildfires, maintain defensible space around your home by removing flammable materials and vegetation.

To learn more about how to prepare your home, visit CalFire’s website.

Please be assured that at Vista Unified, we are committed to ensuring the safety of our students, staff, and community through a proactive approach built on three pillars: PLAN, PREPARE, and PREVENT.

• PLAN: At the start of each school year, site administrators collaborate with staff to review and update safety procedures for all emergencies. This includes revising the Comprehensive School Safety Plan and related safety documents for each school.

• PREPARE: Regular fire drills are conducted at each school to ensure students and staff are familiar with emergency procedures. These drills focus on behavioral expectations during emergencies and identifying designated assembly areas.

• PREVENT: Our Maintenance and Grounds Departments play a vital role in mitigating fire risks by maintaining buildings and surrounding areas to minimize hazards.

Together, we can build a resilient and prepared community, ready to support one another in times of need. Let us also keep the residents and first responders in Los Angeles County in our thoughts, as the winds continue through the end of the week.

Thank you for your commitment to our community’s safety and preparedness.