BERKELEY – With smoke from the wildfires in Butte County affecting air quality in the Bay Area, Cal Athletics is monitoring the situation closely, including reviewing data provided by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and staying in regular communication with officials from Pac-12.
 
Using the Air Quality Index (AQI) as a guide, Cal and its sports medicine staff are following guidelines established by the NCAA Sports Science Institute and the Pac-12 Health and Well Being Board to determine whether to continue planned competitions and practices.
 
The AQI can fluctuate as conditions change, and if it reaches levels where physical exertion is considered dangerous, we will take appropriate measures, including postponing or cancelling events, if necessary.
 
Cal Athletics has been following AQI levels since the wildfires started last week. As of 9:30 a.m. Thursday, we have not seen AQI numbers that require postponement of Saturday's Big Game. We will continue to monitor and will provide updates through the scheduled kickoff.
 
Members of the campus community, particularly those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, heart or lung disease, should take appropriate steps to limit exposure outdoors.

Thursday, 4:30 p.m. update: No firm decision has been made regarding Saturday's Big Game between Cal and Stanford. We are continuing to monitor air quality, which can fluctuate as conditions change. We will defer a decision on whether to play the game once we has more data that would reflect conditions on Saturday.

 
Additional Information

• Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Air Quality Index
• Airnow.gov