CV NEWS FEED // The fires that continue to ravage southern California have destroyed a Catholic church in Los Angeles and led to the closing of at least 90 Catholic schools.
Angelus News reported Jan. 8 that images show only the frame of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. The outlet also noted that there were unverified reports of damage to the parish school.
CBS News reported that the Los Angeles fires have killed at least 10 people, destroyed 10,000 buildings, and put 300,000 residents under evacuation orders or warnings.
As of 7:08 p.m. (PST) Jan. 9, the Palisades fire was 8% contained, CBS reported. It has burned 20,000 acres in Los Angeles County.
The Eaton Fire, only at 3% containment as of 5:09 p.m. (PST) Jan. 9, has burned 21 square miles, leaving what CBS described as “apocalyptic scenes of destruction.”
The Hurst Fire, at 37% containment as of 11:28 p.m. (PST) Jan. 9, has burned 771 acres. The Lidia fire, at 75% containment as of 1:34 p.m. (PST) Jan. 10, has burned 394 acres. The Kenneth fire, at 35% containment as of 9:51 p.m. (PST) Jan. 9, has burned 1,000 acres.
The Woodley, Tyler, Olivas, and Sunset fires are all at 100% containment as of Jan. 9, 7:58 a.m. (PST).
Mark Liu, who works for KCAL News, located in Los Angeles and owned by CBS, stated that 10% containment is a significant step.
“There’s still a lot for firefighters to do, but the active flames at 10% containment are usually very, very small,” he said.
Angelus News spoke with the Diocese of Los Angeles Catholic schools superintendent Paul Escala, who stated that there were multiple factors in determining which schools should close.
“We did not call for a systemwide closure because the area of our district is enormous,” Escala stated. The Diocese of Los Angeles encompasses three counties.
He added that in areas where the fire was less impactful, it was actually safer for students to be in school.
“School provides the kind of routine and consistency in care that children need during moments of crisis and trauma,” he said.
The schools that remained open avoided outdoor activities if the air quality was poor in their area.
CatholicVote confirmed with the Diocese that as of Jan. 10, 90 schools in the Diocese are closed.
As CatholicVote previously reported, Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez posted a message about the fires on Instagram.
“Please keep praying for all those suffering in the wildfires sweeping through Southern California,” he wrote. “My heart goes out to our neighbors who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Let’s pray for them and let’s pray for our firefighters and first responders. May God keep all of our brothers and sisters safe and bring an end to these fires.”
Editor’s note: This is a developing story subject to updates.