Wildfire smoke forces cancellation, changes to weekend events
Smoke from area wildfires has blanketed Whitefish forcing the cancelation of some events like the Whitefish High School soccer games scheduled for Smith Fields. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Poor air quality from area wildfires is forcing changes for high school sporting events in Whitefish and the Two Bear Marathon has been canceled. It’s also prompting modifications for one Saturday event.
Whitefish High School sports teams have been forced to reschedule or move games out of town as a result of the air quality.
The Whitefish Community Foundation is modifying the Color Run/Walk and Nonprofit Fair, but it will still take place on Saturday at Depot Park beginning at 9 a.m. While, the Two Bear Marathon set to take place on Sunday has been canceled.
As of Friday morning, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality listed the Flathead Valley’s air quality as “very unhealthy” meaning that people with respiratory disease should avoid all outdoor exertion and everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion. To view air quality conditions visit www.todaysair.mt.gov.
Whitefish High School’s Athletic Director Aric Harris has been keeping a close eye on the air quality.
“We haven’t had outdoor practice since Monday,” he said on Thursday. “We’ve had to modify our practice schedules the best we can. We’re practicing at the Muldown Elementary and The Wave has let us practice there.”
The boys and girls soccer teams were scheduled to play Libby on Tuesday, but those games were rescheduled to Sept. 19. Both teams were set to play at home on Friday, Sept. 8 but those games were moved to Billings. Saturday’s games were moved to Laurel rather than being played at home.
Kalispell was set to host the Flathead Invitational cross country meet at Rebecca Farm on Friday, Sept. 8, but that was also canceled due to air quality. There were 29 high school teams and 20 junior high schools set to participate. It will not be rescheduled.
The Bulldogs were set to compete in the Libby Invitational golf tournament at Cabinet View Golf Course on Thursday, but that was also canceled.
The Montana High School Association in a memo on its website says that the fall sports season cannot be lengthened into the winter season, but notes that there is no rule prohibiting scheduling two games within a week. It also offers guidelines for when to cancel games and move practices inside due to poor air quality.
The Great Fish Community Challenge 5K Color Run and Nonprofit Fair will still take place at Depot Park on Saturday.
There will be a modified course for those who still want to run, but would like to do a shorter run/walk. However, due to the air quality, the Tot Trot and Striders Race have been canceled.
Linda Engh-Grady, president of Whitefish Community Foundation, said a 2-mile course has been set up for those who want to do a shorter course. There are about 400 people who have registered for the run.
“We decided to tighten up the race, but we did cancel the Tot Trot and the Strider Races because we didn’t want the younger ones out there,” she said. “There will be a barbecue and lots of foot. It’s a celebration and people can still walk the course.”
Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the run begins at 10 a.m. The event also includes interactive booths, games, entertainment, a barbecue and a nonprofit jingle contest at 11 a.m. Donations will be taken for the Great Fish Challenge.
For more information, visit www.greatfishchallenge.org or call 406-863-1781.
Two Bear Marathon organizers announced Friday that they have decided to cancel the race scheduled for Sunday.
“After much consideration, we will be canceling the Two Bear Marathon due to wildfire smoke,” organizers said on Facebook. “As always, the health and well-being of our runners and volunteers is of the utmost importance.”
The race is a fundraiser for The Wave.
Organizers are still inviting folks to attend the racer barbecue on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Depot Park, where participants can "enjoy food, beer, and camaraderie." Participants will also receive this year’s shirt and finisher medallion at the event.
Runners who have already signed up for the race can have their registration deferred to next year, donate their registration toward The Wave’s scholarship fund or receive 20 percent back on their entry fee. For information, visit http://twobearmarathon.org/.
The Montana Dragon Boat Festival in Lakeside scheduled for this weekend was canceled.
The National Weather Service in Missoula is predicting thunderstorms on Friday and gusty winds on Saturday. Daytime highs in the 80s are expected to continue with humidity at around 20 percent. The weather could lead to new fire starts and rapid fire growth, according to the Weather Service, while Saturday’s gusty winds could help disperse smoke from the area.