The Washington State-Cal game is being played in Berkley, Calif. Friday night, despite some heavy smoke in the area caused by wildfires in the region.
Fans were wearing masks to protect their lungs against the smoke, as were workers attending the game.
This doesn't seem remotely safe. pic.twitter.com/YrVfPQSGcf
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) October 14, 2017
That's not alarming or anything… #WSUvsCAL pic.twitter.com/aBeqGq4sz6
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) October 14, 2017
The stands weren’t exactly full of fans for this Pac-12 after dark matchup, either. And it’s not hard to understand why. There are wildfires raging in the region, and thousands of lives have been inexorably altered. To date, 34 people have been killed in the Northern California blazes, with an estimated 5,700 structures destroyed, per the Los Angeles Times.
There was some debate about whether to move this game to a different location. In the end, however, the Pac-12 decided to keep the game in Berkley. We just hope the air doesn’t hurt the players out there exerting themselves to the max.
I'm sorry but college football should not be played when fans are having to wear masks to the game. #Cal #Wazzu @MollyAMcGrath
— Chris Childers (@ChildersRadio) October 14, 2017
https://twitter.com/BCipolla/status/919031122671087616
Latest Air Quality Index score: 162. @Calfootball vs. #8 WSU set for kickoff.
— Jeff Faraudo (@JeffFaraudo) October 14, 2017
For those who might be interested in what that Air Quality Index score of 162 means, according to the EPA, anything over 150 is unhealthy.