For a second consecutive year, the start of the high school fall sports season is being impacted by wildfire smoke causing poor air quality. Numerous wildfires in the West have left a layer of haze over much of the state and it has begun to impact high school football, soccer, and cross country teams as they begin the season.

Air quality in the Umpqua Basin has remained at levels good enough to allow teams to practice outdoors, but coaches are preparing for the situation where conditions force practices indoors.

The Roseburg football coaching staff gave a reminder to athletes and parents on Tuesday to make sure players were ready for a last minute shift indoors with the proper footwear and attire. Last year, the Indians’ football team spent many of its preseason practice sessions inside Stewart W. Robertson Memorial Gymnasium, while outdoors the air quality was some of the worst in the nation.

Other areas in Oregon haven’t been so lucky this week as high school sports officially began. Grants Pass has had to move football practices indoors and so has South Medford. The Grants Pass marching band is making the drive north to Umpqua Community College and utilizing an athletic field on the Riverhawks’ campus.

Coaches, athletic directors, and trainers will be constantly monitoring the air quality and heat index to make sure conditions are safe for student-athletes. We’ll be monitoring things as well and will pass along any cancellations or alterations to practice schedules that we are aware of. You can check out the current air quality indexes by checking out the resources on the Oregon School Activities Association website.