Wildfires burning in the northwest could cause some “Thursday Night Football” issues for the Giants and 49ers.
The Week 3 kickoff game — and the 49ers’ home opener — is set for 8:15 p.m. ET at Levi’s Stadium as the San Francisco area is blanketed in smoke.
Smoke from the rural wildfires in northwest California is being pushed toward the Bay Area and has created unhealthy air quality in the region.
As of Thursday afternoon, the Air Quality Index for several spots in the Bay Area is around 100, classified as “Unhealthy for sensitive individuals.”
Last week, the AQI reached 200, classified as dangerous for all people and a level that would force the league to consider postponing the game, though the air quality has improved.
The game is set to go on, though, the 49ers and the league will continue to monitor the situation.
“Once it gets to 200 it does (affect us), because you’re not allowed to be out there after that,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said on KNBR’s “Murph and Mac” on Sept. 11. “If it gets to 200 that would be a huge deal. I know when it’s above 150 that does affect a certain group of people that happen to be higher risk, pre-existing conditions, if it got above 150 you could lose a few players, but 200 is the mark where you can’t go out there.”
The region is also experiencing elevated levels of fine particulate matter, which can cause serious health problems if inhaled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Fire officials are letting the fires burn out since they are not threatening people or property, per ABC News.
Stream the game live on Thursday night on Amazon Prime Video
For some Giants players and fans, it may be a case of deja vu, as smoke from Canadian wildfires impacted the northeast region of the U.S. during the summer.
