SPOKANE, Wash. — School districts in eastern Washington and north Idaho are making changes and limiting time outdoors for students as heavy smoke blankets the area.
Spokane and the surrounding areas are under an Air Quality Alert. As of Monday morning, Spokane had an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 180, which puts it in the unhealthy range. Even worse air conditions were seen near Lake Wenatchee and Chelan, along with central Idaho.
Washington state Department of Health has an Air Quality Guide for schools which calls for limiting time outdoors when air quality is unhealthy.
According to DOH, the air quality in Spokane is currently at an unhealthy level, so schools should keep all children indoors for recess and P.E. Schools should also cancel outdoor athletic events and practices or move them to an area with safer air quality.
DOH states, “Children are more sensitive to health effects from breathing in PM2.5 because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe in more air than adults for their body weight. Children with health conditions, such as asthma, have an even higher risk of health effects, including asthma attacks.”
Idaho Department of Health & Welfare has similar guidelines for wildfire smoke events. When air quality is unhealthy, the state recommends recess, P.E. and practices be held indoors.
Spokane Youth Sports Association
Outdoor after-school activities scheduled for Monday, Sept. 12 are canceled due to the air quality.
Spokane Public Schools
Spokane Public Schools (SPS) watches the Air Quality Index (AQI) levels closely from the district office throughout the day, as do school administrators. When the AQI reaches 150 or above, outdoor activities are canceled.
Nurses are on high alert during times like this because many students have asthma and smoke can be a trigger.
Each school principal makes the decision on whether recess will be held inside or outside based on the AQI, according to SPS. Schools will make a decision on whether outdoor extracurricular activities at elementary schools will take place by 1 p.m. each day.
If AQI levels reach 101-150 or above (unhealthy for sensitive groups), middle and high school athletic directors will follow GSL guidelines for whether activities will take place or not. School nurses will work with students who have respiratory problems to make sure they are able to safely participate in activites.
Central Valley School District
Central Valley School District announced it would move all outdoor activities indoors on Monday and after-school activities may be moved indoors or canceled.
Here is the full statement posted online this morning:
The health and safety of our students is our highest priority. According to the local weather authority, the air quality is currently 180 and is considered unhealthy.
We will move outdoor activities indoors as appropriate throughout the school day while we continue to monitor air quality. All after-school activities and athletics may be cancelled or moved indoors. Please look for communication from your school or coach with more information.
If conditions significantly change, we will notify you.
We appreciate your flexibility as we keep our students’ safety at the forefront of our decisions.
Please reach out to your school if you should have any questions or concerns.
DOWNLOAD THE KREM SMARTPHONE APP
DOWNLOAD FOR IPHONE HERE | DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID HERE
HOW TO ADD THE KREM+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KREM in the Channel Store.
Fire TV: search for "KREM" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email webspokane@krem.com.