BONNERS FERRY — The Youth Endowment for Activities Foundation cross country jamboree was canceled Saturday, Aug. 19, due to air quality levels as smoke from regional fires was so thick mountain views were obscured.

On Saturday, the air quality levels in Bonners Ferry were at unhealthy levels of 213 AQI.

Bonners Ferry Head cross country coach Tyler Warner said due to the air quality, it was unfortunately an easy decision to cancel the race.

“The letter of the law is pretty clear, and the health and safety of our students is paramount,” he said.

Bonners Ferry High School Athletic Director Curt Bayer and Warner monitored the air quality Friday night and into Saturday morning.

“I believe [air quality] was above 200 when we made the decision, and based on how the rest of the day went, it was the right one,” Warner said.

The YEA Foundation is a part of the Idaho High School Athletics Association, which benefits small schools like Bonners Ferry with travel costs for state competitions. The jamboree is hosted by Bonners Ferry every year, with funds going back to the foundation.

By doing so, the IHSAA allows Bonners Ferry to have an event prior to normal competition. The event is a non-official, non-uniformed event under three miles, Warner said.

The event is two miles long and can be used to calculate a runner's VO2 max, or maximal oxygen consumption, which is the maximum amount of oxygen an individual can utilize during intense or maximal exercise.

Looking ahead to Friday’s race in Libby, Warner said all the team can do to prepare considering the air quality is look at current conditions.

“If the weather says we can practice outside, we’ll practice outside. If it doesn’t, we’ll practice inside. We’ve just got to take it one day at a time and monitor the smoke, and pray for rain,” he said.

Badger cross country competes at Libby High School on Friday, Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. (MST).