COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina school district has canceled outdoor activities due to issues with air quality.
A spokesperson for Richland County School District Two said the district office instructed principals not to allow outdoor events involving physical activity, such as recess, physical education classes and athletic practices, due to an air quality advisory for the area.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) issued an air quality alert on Thursday for Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Saluda and Sumter counties until midnight.
News19's Daniel Bonds said that several prescribed burns in the area combined with high pressure have decreased air quality.
Richland Two's spokesperson said it canceled outdoor activities due to the air quality's potential impact on sensitive groups, including people with asthma, heart or lung disease, and the elderly.
DHEC urged these groups to take precautions by limiting outdoor activities and closing doors and windows.