Sports

Sports teams trying to cope with Bitterroot smoke

Posted: Sep 21, 2012 9:04 AM by Dan Cimmino - MTN Sports

HAMILTON- The smoke in the Bitterroot is making air quality so bad that the outdoor sports season has moved indoors just to practice.

Numerous events have already been cancelled throughout the week with only more uncertainty for this coming weekend.

The smoke forced the Hamilton and Corvallis football teams inside for practice Thursday with neither squad knowing when or where their game will be played.

The Corvallis homecoming game is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday in Corvallis, but whether or not the game will be played will likely come down to a game time decision.

While players and coaches have been frustrated by the confusion, they also realize there are more important things than just football.

"We really were worried about a lot of kids who had to get evacuated, so beyond football it was tough on them. We really had to make some adjustments and we're just happy not any of kids' houses got taken over or anything like that. So, that was the main thing we were happy about," Hamilton football coach Travis Blome said.

Thursday's bad air conditions forced the Big Sky. v. CM Russell football game to be called off in Missoula. That game will now take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, but it's being played in Bigfork.