Poor air quality forces school closures

Rusty Rae / News-Register##Smoke turns the sky yellow over Yamhill County and causes poor air quality, leading schools, recreation facilities and some businesses to close.

[Updates with Newberg Schools delayed opening]

Newberg Schools is delaying the first day of school until at least Wednesday, Sept. 16, citing poor air quality and the impact of wildfire evacuations.

"Having all of this on top of beginning the year in Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL) isn’t what any of us planned. But we are going to work hard to begin this year well," the district said. "We know that many of you and many of our staff are impacted by evacuations and poor air quality due to the worst wildfires in Oregon history. Our concern is for all our students and staff—for their physical safety and their emotional well-being."

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Amity, Dayton and Sheridan School District will be closed Friday due to poor air quality and/or the number of staff impacted by numerous wildfires. Sheridan was also closed Thursday.

Additionally, C.S. Lewis Academy in Newberg will be closed due to families under evacuation orders and air quality. There will be no campus or online instruction. All Portland Community College campuses will be closed. The college has a Newberg campus.

The Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center in McMinnville will be closed. The pharmacy will remain open for services. Remote operations, classes, services and telework will continue.