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Poor Air Quality Leads to Cancellation of all San Diego City School Sporting Events
Officials site poor air quality, still rapidly burning fires as reasons
October 24, 2007-As fires continue to rage throughout San Diego county, The San Diego Unified School District, and virtually every school district county wide remains closed today, and will through the remainder of this week. Section Commissioner Dennis Ackerman issued a notice yesterday informing students and parents that all high school sporting events in the San Diego Section have been canceled for the rest of this week, and as of this time there are no plans to reschedule them.
"If the superintendents say to close down the schools, just the thought of playing games seems so trivial," said Bruce Ward, director of physical education, health and interscholastic activities for the San Diego school district. "There is obviously concern about air quality, even inside."
Many players, parents, and fans have expressed dismay over this announcement, and continue to remain hopeful that at least some of these games will be rescheduled in the future. With so many families facing evacuation, however, it is likely, sources say, that the announcement made by Ward will not change over the course of the next few weeks.
This announcement comes in the wake of the most updated air quality report, which says that decreasing winds should help with the fire extinguishing effort today, but that smoke and ash are still expected to accumulate, and worsen San Diego county's already poor air quality.
"It's going to be many days before these particles are out of the atmosphere," said Bill Brick, senior meteorologist with the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District. "We won't have good air around the county until probably Saturday or Sunday."
According to a report from the Union Tribune, Escondido has so far experienced the worst air quality this week, with particulate levels ranging from unhealthy to hazardous. Particles, ie fire related dust, dirt, soot, and smoke, have been blown more than 1,000 miles over the Pacific Ocean.
Brick reminds residents that prolonged exposure to polluted air can lead to vision, respiratory and other health problems, and that in many cases, at least initially, there are no symptoms. San Diego county residents have been advised to stay indoors as much as possible and to limit physical activity. As the fires continue to spread, residents should be alert for symptoms of smoke inhalation, which include shortness of breath, dizziness, trouble breathing, and coughing.
"You may feel all right now, but these things are cumulative," said Brick. "We're going to have air-quality issues-potentially-for several weeks."
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