The NFL has decided to let games in California go on as scheduled despite the poor air quality, due to widespread wildfires on the west coast.
Smoke enveloped the skies of the West Coast, as wildfires run rampant, and haze layered onto cities. The NFL, however, plans to have California games play as scheduled, despite the poor air quality.
“Per the Air Quality Index, an unhealthy air-quality level score is between 151-200. If the game needs to be delayed, options are moving it to later in the week or relocating. That decision would come from the league.” A news release from the NFL stated.
The smog of the wildfires already grips hold of week 1 of the NFL, with the 49ers calling the state of the game “apocalyptic” and the Seahawks wondering if they will get to play their game against the Patriots on Week two.
The West Coast Games are Up in the Air
The current air quality on the West coast is what ultimately decides what games will play on the West Coast, and while the NFL has games continuing on schedule, it’s not looking good.
The West Coast saw record highs of air pollution not just in the country, but in the world. In Portland, according to IQ air, the current air quality for the city is 302, which is well above the stated healthy zone of 150 of the NFL. Los Angles is sitting at an air quality of 153, and San Francisco sitting even higher at 160.
The NFL tackled the current issue in the same news releases saying “Should there be a sustained poor air-quality level of 200 or above the game could be affected,”
The Week one game in California will be the Cowboys against Rams, Cardinals against 49ers, and Raiders against Panthers.
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