Photo: Joe Leier, KFGO News
FARGO (KFGO) – Public pools across the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area and the Red River Zoo closed Thursday as regional air quality plummeted into the “very unhealthy” category.
Park districts in Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead and Dilworth shut down all pool facilities and altered outdoor programming for the day.
The widespread closures were triggered after the federal monitoring website airnow.gov registered an air quality index reading of 243 in the metro area Thursday afternoon. Under Fargo Park District guidelines, outdoor activities and public pools are automatically canceled or relocated if the index exceeds 200.
Officials at the Red River Zoo also opted to close the gates for the day, citing safety risks that the heavy smoke and poor air quality pose to guests, staff and the zoo’s animals.
While pools remain closed, select outdoor recreational programs throughout the region are being relocated indoors or rescheduled.
Fargo officials are advising residents to monitor fargoparks.com or download the Fargo Park District mobile app for real-time notifications and schedule changes throughout the day. Information can also be obtained by calling the district at 701-499-6060.
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