Schools closed in LA's San Fernando Valley

Officials say the Los Angeles Unified School District has closed all of its schools in the San Fernando Valley because of a wildfire north of the city that prompted authorities to order the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.

The district in a statement today cites poor air quality because of smoke and safety concerns for the closures affecting thousands of students.

The district also says about two dozen independent charter schools are also closed.

The fire started yesterday afternoon in a rural area and strong winds swept it into outlying areas of the city of Santa Clarita.

Winds at speeds up to about 50 miles per hour are fanning the wildfire. Television images before dawn showed several burning homes.