AP Photo/Steve Ellsworth
This Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014 photo shows smoke from a California wildfire rising behind Lake Tahoe as seen from the Nevada side of the lake near Incline Village, Nev. Higher humidity Friday helped slow the growth of the massive Northern California wildfire that authorities say was set deliberately and has forced some 2,800 people to evacuate.
Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014 | 1:52 p.m.
RENO, Nev. — Ironman races in Lake Tahoe were canceled on Sunday due smoke and unhealthy air quality from a northern California wildfire.
Ironman Lake Tahoe and Ironman 70.3 Lake Tahoe operations manager Keats McGonigal said the mood was "somber" when the decision was announced.
McGonigal says it was made for the safety of 3,000 entrants, as well as spectators and volunteers.
There were no plans to reschedule.
World Triathlon Corp. says the cancellation followed recommendations from California and Placer County health officials.
Placer County air pollution officer Tom Christofk says in a statement that sensors in Squaw Valley, Tahoe City, Kings Beach and Truckee recorded high levels of particulate matter.
He says the source was the King Fire, covering more than 128 square miles some 60 miles east of Sacramento.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy