Fresno State prepares for football home opener amid wildfire smoke concerns

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Excitement is gathering astatine Valley Children's Stadium arsenic Fresno State gears up for its shot play opener Saturday night. But on with the anticipation comes a interest acquainted to Central California: wildfire smoke.

Medical unit astatine the stadium are monitoring aerial prime regular to guarantee conditions are harmless for athletes and fans.

"Obviously with the California wildfires successful the past, we've had to alteration astir games, reschedule earlier oregon aboriginal successful the time depending connected the forecast," said Sean Steele, Fresno State's subordinate caput manager for women's soccer. "It's thing connected our mind, and for the astir part, it hasn't affected america yet this year."

Steele says unit usage an app connected to stadium monitors to way aerial prime successful existent time. The goal: support athletes harmless portion pushing them to perform.

"We're pushing them to their diversion limits, but we besides person to beryllium mindful that there's a line, and we don't privation to transverse that," Steele said.

Dr. Theodore Yasko with Adventist Health recommends taking precautions earlier outdoor activities, including checking aerial quality, wearing an N95 disguise and staying hydrated.

"We already conflict with immoderate of the worst baseline aerial prime successful the United States owed to geography and agriculture," Yasko said. "We besides person wildfires."

He adds that anyone experiencing symptoms specified arsenic coughing, wheezing, sore throat, headaches, oculus irritation oregon fatigue should caput indoors and question aesculapian help.

Kickoff for Fresno State's crippled is acceptable for 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Fans are encouraged to get aboriginal owed to changes successful stadium guidelines and entrances. Fresno State women's shot volition question to Sacramento this play and instrumentality location Sept. 20.

For quality updates, travel Kassandra Gutierrez connected Facebook, X and Instagram.