Smoke From King Fire Forces Cancelation Of Ironman Triathlon At Lake Tahoe
LAKE TAHOE (KCBS) -- Ironman races in Lake Tahoe were canceled on Sunday due smoke and unhealthy air quality from the King Fire burning in the Sierra foothills.
Ironman Lake Tahoe and Ironman 70.3 Lake Tahoe operations manager Keats McGonigal said the mood was "somber" when the decision was announced.
McGonigal says it was made for the safety of 3,000 entrants, as well as spectators and volunteers.
There were no plans to reschedule.
World Triathlon Corp. says the cancellation followed recommendations from California and Placer County health officials.
Placer County air pollution officer Tom Christofk says in a statement that sensors in Squaw Valley, Tahoe City, Kings Beach and Truckee recorded high levels of particulate matter.
He says the source was the King Fire, covering more than 128 square miles some 60 miles east of Sacramento.