Air quality has Gruden hoping for end to fires
Wildfires put coach’s worry on community
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Whatever inconvenience or issue experienced this week from adverse air quality, the Raiders know, pales in comparison to the devastation experienced about 140 miles northeast of their headquarters where Camp Fire has scorched communities and killed at least five people.
The team’s tone Friday reflected that reality.
Coach Jon Gruden said that he was unsure how air conditions could impact Sunday’s scheduled home game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“I don’t know. I hope that the fires go away,” Gruden said. “I’m more concerned about a lot of people that are being impacted by this. We’ll react to whatever the circumstances are, whatever happens. I just hope this ends fast.”
Compromised air quality prompted the Raiders to adjust their Friday schedule. Technically, they did not practice, as their session was downgraded to a slower-tempo walkthrough, a club spokesman said.
The team also did not work into the afternoon, concluding outdoor activities around 11:30 a.m., about an hour earlier than initially planned.
In its daily forecast, the National Weather Service predicted no sky cover in Alameda.
But because of smoke from a wildfire near Chico, California, the sky was blanketed light gray. Visibility was reduced. The air smelled of smoke. Around the Bay Area, some pedestrians wore masks over their mouths.
Sunday’s game presently remains scheduled as planned, set to kick off at 1:05 p.m. It is one of two NFL games that afternoon whose location is relatively near at least one major wildfire. The other game is in Southern California.
“We are monitoring conditions in California and are in close communication with the clubs and local authorities,” an NFL spokesman said in a statement. “At this point, both the Los Angeles Chargers-oakland Raiders game and the Seattle Seahawks-los Angeles Rams game will kick off as scheduled.”
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District posts hourly air quality readings at Airnow.gov. On Friday, air quality in San Francisco, Oakland and surrounding areas ranged from moderate, to unhealthy for sensitive groups, to unhealthy. At one point Friday, Oakland’s air quality index was 169, or unhealthy. Under that rating, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and teens and children are advised to “avoid strenuous outdoor activities.”
Others are advised to choose less strenuous activities and shorten the amount of time for outdoor activity.
The Raiders did both Friday. Thursday was a different story.
Air quality in Alameda worsened significantly just before the Raiders began practice around 1:30 p.m. Offensive lineman Jon Feliciano resorted to covering his mouth with a cloth during the opening stretch as ash visibly fell from the sky. At 3 p.m., they still were on the field amid a 181 AQI reading.
Players reported various symptoms related to the smoky air, such as headaches and coughing.
“What’s it like?” wide receiver Dwayne Harris said of practicing in smoke. “Hard. It’s hard to breathe. Your eyes burn. For me, I’ve got bad sinuses and stuff, so smoke and all that, it’s killing my lungs.it was rough.”
Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Gehlkennfl on Twitter.