Menifee schools closed Thursday, Friday due to poor air

Heather Francis captured this shot of the Holy Fire Wednesday night as seen from Quail Valley, overlooking Canyon Lake.

All schools in Menifee were closed Thursday and will remain closed on Friday due to poor air quality from the Holy Fire.

The initial decision to close schools for Thursday came late Wednesday afternoon as reports of increasing poor air quality were received. The fire, which began in Holy Jim Canyon and Trabuco Canyon on Monday, has spread over 9,614 acres and is 5 percent contained as of Thursday morning, according to Cleveland National Forest officials.

As the fire spread downhill toward Lake Elsinore and smoke continued to fill the area on Thursday, Menifee school officials decided in mid-morning to cancel classes for Friday as well. This includes all schools in the Menifee Union School District, Romoland School District and Perris Union High School District.

This action further delays the first day of school for students in the Romoland School District.