Wednesday: Air quality impacting events, school

All of eastern Washington and much of northeastern Oregon is under an Air Quality Alert put in place by the Washington State Department of Ecology. Rob Rodger with the Benton Clean Air Agency says the Tri-Cities sits at a "Very Unhealthy level," Yakima and Walla Walla sit at a "Hazardous" level, which the health department recommends people limit their time outdoors.

Below is a list of what has been impacted by the smokey air conditions:

Schools:

Hermiston School District: Due to the air quality conditions, students were asked to go inside the building until the time that classes began. Recess will be moved indoors. District officials will continue to monitor the air quality conditions throughout the day and will make adjustments as necessary.

Kennewick School District: Sept. 6, All students will be kept indoors during recess, physical education classes, and lunch today. All middle and high school athletic competitions and activities scheduled for outside are canceled. High school athletic practices and other outside activities will occur as scheduled inside. Due to facility limitations, some middle school practices will be canceled and some will be moved inside. Please contact your specific school for more information.

Kiona-Benton School District: 9/6/17. All students will be kept inside today for recess and P.E. due to the air quality. Middle School sports, volleyball on regular schedule, football and girls soccer inside from 3-4.

Pasco School District: Officials will keep all students and staff inside for recess, lunch and physical education classes for a second day today (9/6). All outside after-school activities and athletic contests/practices have also been postponed or moved indoors.

Pendleton School District: Officials will conduct all recess and P.E. classes indoors, as well as athletic practices and games. All schools will operate on regular schedules.

Prosser School District: Officials regularly monitor air quality following EPA guidelines prior to releasing student for outside activities. Should the air quality be unhealthy, outdoor activities will be moved indoors or be canceled. Middle School and High School sports practice and game decisions will be determined and posted on our Website and Facebook.

Richland School District: students will once again be kept inside during recess and P.E. classes Wednesday due to the "very unhealthy" air conditions (the second highest warning level). Outdoor sports practices and competitions have been canceled or moved inside.

Other:

Kittitas County Temporary Shelter: TUESDAY Aug. 5th, Residents who are having difficulty escaping the poor air quality, especially those who do not have access to air conditioning during the hot weather, may use the Red Cross shelter located at the Putnam Centennial Center in Cle Elum at 719 E 3rd Street.

Pasco Farmers Market: Due to the unhealthy air quality in the Tri-Cities, tomorrow’s Farmer’s Market scheduled for Wednesday September 6^th is cancelled.

The Battle of the Badge: The annual softball game which was scheduled for Thursday August 6 featuring the Moses Lake Police Department and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office is postponed until further notice due to poor outdoor air quality. We will send notice when the event has been rescheduled.