LA Wildfires Cause Damage to Famous High School Featured in Stephen King and Jamie Lee Curtis Classics

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Notably, the legendary Palisades Charter High School – where many famous personalities spent their adolescent years filled with awkwardness, and later graced the sets of popular TV shows and movies such as the 1976 film “Carrie” and the beloved series “Freaky Friday” from the 2000s – has suffered extensive damage due to the Palisades wildfires. Fortunately, the school itself still stands, but unfortunately, certain areas have been devastated by the fires that ignited only a week ago, and have been relentlessly moving across southern California ever since.

As per a statement on Facebook by Palisades Charter High School’s administration, approximately 40% of the school campus has been severely damaged or destroyed by a wildfire. However, they have not yet specified which structures were affected. On a positive note, several areas remained unaffected or showed minimal damage, such as most classrooms, gyms and the aquatic center, and the quad. Despite this fortunate news, Palisades Charter High School is strongly advising community members to avoid visiting the campus due to potential health risks from toxic substances, particularly in the burned areas. In their post, they emphasized that “now is not the time for visitors on campus” as these toxins could pose significant health hazards.

Currently, only LAPD members and authorized individuals can access Palisades Charter High School premises because of ongoing risks from fire damage and toxic substances like black carbon and asbestos. These hazards pose serious health and safety concerns for anyone visiting the school. Consequently, the start of the second semester, initially scheduled for this week, has been postponed to January 21st. However, if necessary precautions aren’t taken, the date might be further delayed. In the interim, all students are following a short-term online learning program.

Palisades Charter High School Represents Decades of Hollywood History

For decades, Palisades Charter High School has played a significant role in Hollywood lore. This esteemed institution has graced the silver screen multiple times; it was part of the 1976 film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel “Carrie,” and reappeared in the 2003 romantic comedy “Freaky Friday” with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. Furthermore, the supernatural TV series “Teen Wolf” from the 2010s used various parts of Palisades Charter High School to depict the fictional Beacon Hills High that the show’s main characters attended. Notably, many famous actors such as Forest Whitaker, Katey Sagal, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and director J.J. Abrams have walked its revered corridors during their school days.

Regrettably, it’s not just Palisades Charter High School that has been affected by the Palisades fire. As per the latest report, the fire has engulfed more than 23,000 acres and is only 11% contained. Approximately 4,700 personnel have been deployed to combat the flames, including firefighters from Canada and Mexico. However, it’s estimated that around 70% of the Palisades area has either suffered damage or been completely destroyed. The high winds and dry conditions persist, making the situation even more dire and turning this natural disaster into an even greater calamity.

If you’re seeking methods to aid individuals impacted by the wildfires, consider checking out the California Fire Foundation, California Fire Relief, The Dream Center, or Friends in Deed for potential assistance opportunities.

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2025-01-13 16:31