Poor Air Quality Leads To Widespread Bay Area School Closures
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY (CBS SF) -- The unhealthy air from the fires across Northern California has prompted several school districts and colleges in the Bay Area to cancel classes Thursday and Friday.
Thursday afternoon, San Francisco State University announced it was is cancelling all Thursday evening classes, effective at 5 p.m. due to "severe and unhealthy air quality conditions" from smoke produced by the North Bay fires.
"The health and safety of all students, faculty and staff is the University's top priority," the statement read.
Additionally, the main SFSU campus, the downtown campus and the Romberg Tiburon campus will close effective 8 a.m. on Friday and will remain closed through Sunday.
The announcement noted that the Mashouf Wellness Center would remain open to provide activities for students and University residents.
SFSU officials said decisions about university operations on Monday and beyond would be made and communicated during the coming weekend.
Classes have also been cancelled on Friday for the California State University East Bay's Concord campus. Currently, classes will still be held at the Hayward campus and Oakland Center.
College of Marin and Dominican University of California will also be closed on Friday.
On Thursday afternoon, Marin County school districts decided to close schools on Friday as a result of the challenges related to the wildfires.
School related sports activities countywide have been canceled through the weekend as a result of poor air quality.
Schools will plan to return to normal operations on Monday.
Among the Contra Costa County school districts cancelling classes were Mount Diablo Unified, West Contra Costa Unified and Antioch Unified.
Oakland Unified released a statement saying families who are concerned about the health of their students may keep them home.
Here's a list of the affected school districts and colleges:
San Francisco State University - classes cancelled from 5 p.m. Thursday evening through Friday.
California State University East Bay's Concord campus - through Friday
Hayward campus and Oakland Center will remain open unless otherwise notified, CSU officials said.
College of Marin and Dominican University of California - closed Friday
Antioch,Martinez, Mt. Diablo, Pittsburg, and West Contra Costa unified school districts- through Thursday; only Mt. Diablo and Pittsburg have announced a Friday closure
Contra Costa Community College District - through Thursday, Friday TBA
The district operates Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, as well as educational centers in Brentwood and San Ramon.
Marin County school districts - all schools will be closed Friday