Student-athletes returned to high school sports this week in Treasure Valley, Idaho, and school officials say they have clear plans in place should the air quality deteriorate due to smoke from seasonal wildfires in the area.
According to KTVB, the West Ada School District tracks air quality levels daily. If it reaches above 150 – which is in the unhealthy category – the district will move all sports inside.
“We still have to kind of be aware that there's some smoke in the air, but it's a lot better than hitting that red,” said Shayla Foster, coordinator of athletic trainers for the West Ada School District.
West Ada has 5,000 registered athletes, and Foster said that practicing outside can be decided by parents on an individual basis.
“Just letting the coach or the admin or athletic trainer know, ‘hey, this is where I'm not comfortable,'" Foster said.
If an athlete is feeling effects of the air quality, they may be dizzy, slurring their words, sweating abnormally or start looking pale.
The West Ada School District said it will keep an eye on the air quality index daily throughout its six high schools to keep athletes safe this season.
