RENO, Nev. (AP) - Hazy smoke from California wildfires prompted the closure Friday of schools in Reno and Sparks in northern Nevada for the third day this week.
Washoe County School District officials said in a statement they were concerned because the haze creates unhealthy air for students and staff.
The statement said the district is preparing to shift to remote learning if necessary but hopes to welcome students back on Monday for either in-person or hybrid instruction.
The district plans to provide an update Sunday with information on what will take place Monday, the statement said.
District officials postponed Monday’s scheduled start of the school year one day due to smoke. Schools also were closed Thursday. Thousands of students were in classrooms Tuesday and Wednesday - using masks, social distancing and other precautions to help guard against the spread of COVID-19.
Most of the smoke in Reno and Sparks was coming from numerous big fires in the San Francisco Bay Area about 200 miles (320 kilometers) to the west.
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