Wildfire Smoke Closes 2 Pasco Schools

LAND O’ LAKES, FL — Pasco County has announced the Monday closing of two schools due to wildfire smoke.

River Ridge Middle and River Ridge High are both being closed May 8, the district announced in an email.

“Parents are being notified now via automated message,” the district wrote. “Those who drop-off students are being advised to return them home for the day.”

Buses that have already dropped off students will return to pick them up after their elementary runs, the district said.

Over the weekend, wildfire smoke wasn’t a problem, the district noted. Shifting winds on Monday, however, now have smoke blowing toward the schools.

A wildfire in the Starkey Preserve had grown to more than 2,275 acres over the weekend. The fire was considered 70 percent contained as of Sunday night.

No further information is available at this time.

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