BOISE, Idaho — High school sports kicked off this week in the Treasure Valley, with clear plans in place if the air quality isn’t safe to practice outside.
The West Ada School District tracks air quality levels daily. If it reaches above 150 – which is in the unhealthy category – the district will move all sports inside, according to Shayla Foster, coordinator of athletic trainers for the West Ada School District.
“We still have to kind of be aware that there's some smoke in the air, but it's a lot better than hitting that red,” Foster said.
West Ada has 5,000 registered athletes for the fall sports season, Foster said.
But practicing outside can be based on what each parent and student feels comfortable with.
“Just letting the coach or the admin or athletic trainer know, ‘hey, this is where I'm not comfortable,'" Foster said.
If an athlete is feeling effects of the air quality, they may be dizzy, slurring their words, sweating abnormally or start looking pale.
The West Ada School District said it will keep an eye on the air quality index daily throughout its six high schools to keep athletes safe this season.