The University of Oregon cancelled their cross country season opener -- the Oregon XC Preview, which had been scheduled for Thursday -- due to hazardous air quality in Springfield and Eugene. The race was to be held at Springfield Golf Club.

There are several forest fires currently contributing to poor air quality in the state of Oregon. There are currently 16 fires burning in the Williamette National Forest over 45,670 acres. Misuse of fireworks also caused a devastating outbreak in the Mt. Hood National Forest on Saturday at Eagle Creek. Winds have spread the Eagle Creek Fire westward and into the state of Washington; local news sources say the fire now covers 10,000 acres.



The towns of Eugene and Springfield are rated "hazardous" with a nearly off the charts score of 434 in the "24 Hour Air Quality Index." See graphic below, courtesy of Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA).



In this video blog posted by Oregon senior Emma Abrahamson, she and teammate Allie Cash drove nearly 50 miles to Corvallis for a six-mile run because the air conditions in Eugene were so poor.

The Lady Ducks are the defending NCAA cross country champions. The men placed ninth at NCAAs last fall.