Washington State's football team was forced to practice indoors this weekend because of dangerously smoky conditions caused by the devastating wildfires sweeping the region.
The air quality in Pullman, Wa., reached the "hazardous" range of a local index in recent days before hovering down to the less alarming "unhealthy" level on Sunday, Jacob Thorpe of The Spokesman-Review reports.
The Cougars can only practice outdoors if the Pullman Air Quality Index reaches 150 or lower, which is considered healthy. It topped off at roughly 190 on Sunday, ensuring the Cougars would be forced to stay indoors.
Washington's Ecology department has issued an air quality alert for Whitman County, which includes Pullman.
Nearby fires and a lack of wind or rain are expected to keep smoke in the area until at least Wednesday, according to forecasters.
