Poor air quality postpones two postseason prep events in Clark CountyFree

Area school districts suspended all outdoor activities for a second consecutive day because of poor air quality brought on by area wildfires.

The air quality index (AQI) rose into the very unhealthy range (AQI above 200) in eastern and northern Clark County on Wednesday morning. It improved in the afternoon, but remained in the unhealthy range (150-200), causing the suspension of all outdoor high school sports practices, games and two district championship events on Wednesday.

“After-school sporting events and practices will also be impacted if the AQI is above 100,” Evergreen Public Schools superintendent John Boyd said in a statement sent out to schools Wednesday morning.  “Currently, our area is experiencing AQI numbers above 150.”

The 4A Greater St. Helens League district cross country meet was scheduled to be held on Wednesday afternoon at Lewisville Park north of Battle Ground. But the meet was postponed to 1:30 p.m. Friday at Lewisville Park.

If conditions do not improve by Friday, the meet would be moved to Monday, said Matt Stanfill, Battle Ground High School athletic director and the meet director.

“This is not ideal, and no one wants to do this option because of the quick turnaround for regionals,” Stanfill said. “However, the weather may dictate it.”

Union and Battle Ground slated to play for a berth to state in the 4A district slowpitch softball playoff on Wednesday at Heritage. But that also was postponed until 2 p.m. Friday at Heritage.

The 4A district tennis tournament started as scheduled on Wednesday on the indoor courts at Club Green Meadows.

Air quality is forecasted to improve on Thursday, but officials will continue to monitor the situation before making any decisions about Thursday’s events or beyond.