First comes thea heat, then comes the fires! The heat has decended upon the Pacific Northwest this week and hot on it's tail will be, "Smoke Season". We want our HPFC players and families to be prepared for its arrival. Read on to learn more about how to best manage.
Our HPFC Director of Operations monitors a variety of weather conditions daily. When smoke increases and local air pollution numbers rise, the club monitor on an hourly basis to ensure our players have a safe training environment. HPFC will step in and cancel team training depends on the air quality reports found on AirNowSeattle.
Generally speaking, so long as we remain below an Air Quality Index ("AQI") of 151, the decision to host or cancel training rests with the individual coaches. We use the following chart to assist in determining when and how to modify practices (up to and including canceling sessions).
| AQI Category |
Index Value |
Description of Air Quality |
HPFC Operation Mode |
| Good |
0 to 50 |
Air quality is satisfactory |
Normal operations. |
| Moderate |
51 to 100 |
Air quality is acceptable |
No modifications to HPFC training sessions |
| Unhealthy of Sensitive Groups |
101 to 150 |
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects |
HPFC training sessions modified |
| Unhealthy |
151 to 200 |
Some members of the general public may experience health effects |
HPFC training may be moved indoors |
| Very Unhealthy / Hazardous |
200 and above |
Significant risk of health effect for everyone |
All Training and Games canceled |
Other factors coaches need to consider when canceling their individual team practice are:
- The health and safety of their players and themselves;
- The age of their players (the younger the player, the more at risk they are);
- Whether practices have been canceled in the past;
- The wishes of their team/parents;
- Developmental needs of their teams;
Everything below that is a judgment call made by the coach and the individual PARENTS. If a player is particularly sensitive to air quality (e.g. has sports asthma, asthma, or other conditions), they should stay home. Parents should use their best judgment for their children. If you have any questions about whether your child should participate, please call your child's doctor for advice.
If a parent is concerned about their child's safety, they should keep them home even if the team plans to continue training. In addition, children, teenagers, and those with sensitivities are considered part of the "sensitive group" and as such, here is what the Air Now website, says should be done:
- Sensitive groups: Reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. It’s OK to be active outside but take more breaks and do less intense activities. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.
- Asthma: People with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep quick-relief medicine handy.
- Heart Disease: Symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these, contact your health care provider.
We hope the information provided answers any concerns our families may have had. If questions persist, please reach out to our Director of Opeations, James Conroy, via email at [email protected].