The annual Hot Shots 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament scheduled for this weekend in Downtown Yakima has been canceled due to poor air quality.
“It just wasn’t healthy with all the smoke in the air,” said Rich Austin, Director of Sports Development for the Yakima Valley Sports Commission. “Even with possible improvements in air quality, it is not certain. We think it’s best to cancel this year. All registration fees that have been paid will be refunded.”
Austin said the tournament will not be rescheduled this year due to the start of the school year and commitments of the Sports Commission.
The Washington State Department of Ecology issued an air quality alert for the Yakima area that is in effect through 12:00 pm on Thursday, August 23rd.
In coordination with the air quality alert, the National Weather Service (NWS) said pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health problems.
Children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory illnesses are most at risk of serious health effects during the air quality alert. The alert calls for limiting outdoor activities and keeping children indoors when the air quality is poor.
Information about air quality is on the Washington Department of Ecology Web site at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/default.ltr.aspx. Additional information is available on the Washington smoke blog, http://wasmoke.blogspot.com
The Hot Shots 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament began in 2003. Last year, it attracted more than 1,900 players and about 12,000 spectators to Downtown Yakima streets.