PORTLAND, Ore. – Due to the continued air quality issues in the Eugene and Springfield areas from the wildfires across Oregon, the Oregon cross country program has made the decision to cancel the Oregon XC Preview this Thursday, Sept. 7, at Springfield Golf Club.
 
Oregon has been monitoring the situation closely over the last couple of weeks, and came to the decision to cancel the meet in order to ensure the safety of both student-athletes and fans. The university administration and the coaching staff determined that the air quality was unsafe for a cross country meet.
 
16 fires burning in the Willamette National Forest account for the contribution of poor air quality and the destruction of over 45,670 acres. The misuse of fireworks also caused a devastating outbreak in the Mt. Hood National Forest on Saturday at Eagle Creek. The towns of Eugene and Springfield are rated as "hazardous" with a nearly off the charts score of 434 in the "24 Hour Air Quality Index".
 
As of now, a small JV group of Pilots on the women's side are still projected to compete at the WOU Ash Creek Open, weather permitting, but both Portland men's and women's teams will officially compete next at the Dellinger Invitational on Sept. 29 in Eugene, Ore., at the Springfield Golf Club.