All schools were closed Tuesday in the Hesperia and Apple Valley unified districts as the fast-spreading Pilot Fire grew to nearly 11 square miles and sent plumes of smoke across the San Bernardino Mountains.
Hesperia Unified noted that it was closing as a precaution as the fire shifted north.
Apple Valley schools were closed because of the poor air quality, according to a statement from the district. The district planned to reopen Wednesday.
The fire started about noon Sunday and has burned through scrub and brush left extremely dry after years of drought.