Devastating wildfires in Northern California may force the postponement of Saturday’s football game between Pac-12 rivals Cal and Stanford.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, poor air quality due to smoke from the Camp Fire in Butte County may create hazardous playing conditions. This would mark the 121st Big Game. The only years since 1892 in which it hasn’t been played were during World War I (1915-18) and World War II (1943-45). The 1963 Big Game was postponed a week after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
On Wednesday, Cal chancellor Carol Christ said that should the Air Quality Index surpass 200, game cancellations would have to be considered.
As of Thursday night, the AQI in Berkley was 232, which prompted the cancellation of Thursday night’s men’s basketball game against Mercy at Haas Pavilion. Cal has since announced the cancellation of all classes Friday.
“The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is forecasting a significant improvement in air quality beginning on Friday morning, with continued clearing throughout the weekend,” Christ said in a statement. “We will continue to closely monitor reliable readings and forecasts and will keep the campus community updated.”
Meanwhile in San Francisco, the University of San Francisco postponed a men’s basketball game against Arizona State. The schools are now looking for a replacement date for that game.
As of Friday morning, the NOAA was forecasting an AQI of 322 by noon in Berkley.
The Camp Fire in Butte County has destroyed over 9,700 homes, destroyed more than 141,000 acres and killed 63 people. CNN this morning reported that over 600 people are still missing. The camp fire is about 40 percent contained.
