Poor air quality impacts events
City Beach was a quiet place last week as air quality was often in the “unhealthy” and “very unhealthy” ranges as wildfire smoke poured into the Flathead Valley. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
Smoke from wildfires around the region pushed its way into the Flathead Valley last week.
Poor air quality forced changes for Whitefish High School sporting events, while the Two Bear Marathon scheduled for Sunday was canceled. The Whitefish Community Foundation also modified its the Color Run/Walk and Nonprofit Fair.
Air quality levels in the Valley last week ranged from “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” at times. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality recommends at the “very unhealthy” level that people with respiratory disease avoid all outdoor exertion and everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.
On Tuesday, the air quality was listed at “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Beginning Wednesday winds are expected to increase as a ridge of high pressure breaks down and a low pressure trough approaches the area. Conditions overall are expected to be windy and dry and this could cause an increase in fire activity throughout the day, the DEQ notes.
“This should help lift smoke off of valley floors early in the day, but could cause significant smoke to spread across the state,” the DEQ said on its website Tuesday morning.
Some relief is expected from wildfire smoke as widespread rains is predicted on Thursday and Friday.
To view up to date 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 last week. “We’ve had to modify our practice schedules the best we can. We’re practicing at Muldown Elementary and The Wave has let us practice there.”
The boys and girls soccer teams were scheduled to play Libby on Sept. 5, 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 high school is set to celebrate homecoming this week with a host of events and home games scheduled, but that too could change based on air quality.
Two Bear Marathon organizers announced Friday that they had decided to cancel the race scheduled for Sunday.
“After much consideration, we will be canceling the Two Bear Marathon due to wildfire smoke,” said Art Krueger, director of The Wave, “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 still invited folks to attend the racer barbecue on Sunday at Depot Park, where they could receive this year’s shirt and finisher medallion.
Runners who had 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 Great Fish Community Challenge 5K Color Run and Nonprofit Fair went on ahead Saturday at Depot Park, but with some modifications to the event. Due to the air quality, the Tot Trot and Striders Race were canceled. Instead of a Color Run, organizers held a color toss in the park.
Linda Engh-Grady, president of Whitefish Community Foundation, said about 400 people registered for the run.
“There will be a barbecue and lots of food,” Engh-Grady said prior to the event. “It’s a celebration.”
Wildfires around the region continue to rage and fire danger remains at extreme and Stage II fire restrictions remain in effect for most of western Montana.
Flathead County commissioners last week issued an emergency disaster declaration that authorizes emergency spending related to firefighting and gives county officials the ability to direct any necessary evacuations. The last time the county declared a state of emergency was during the 2015 fire season.
Weyerhaeuser also announced that it would begin prohibiting public access on its lands in western Montana due to the fire danger. The closure affects Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Missoula, Sanders and Ravalli counties.