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Air Quality and Operations

Fall Playlist cover with image two children holding fall floral arrangements, youth and adult activities registration opens August 4 - 5

Summer registration now open;
fall registration opens August 4 - 5.

Learn more.

Fall Playlist cover with image two children holding fall floral arrangements, youth and adult activities registration opens August 4 - 5

Fall recreation program registration opens Aug. 4 – 5

Bend Park and Recreation District is opening registration for fall recreation programs and sports leagues on Monday, Aug. 4 and […]

July 30, 2025

Programs and facilities that are affected by air quality or weather will be displayed on the website using the Delays and Cancellations Report.

Delays & Cancellations Report

Air Quality & Smoke

The district uses multiple methods to assess air quality conditions to make decisions on cancellations and closures. This approach is because smoke conditions can change rapidly and official Air Quality Index reporting can lag several hours. We monitor:

  • The most current air quality index as reported by he Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Air Quality Index (AQI) – 8th and Emerson station in Bend.
  • Remote sensor readings using district instruments
  • 5-3-1 Visiblity Scale
  • Trends of several hours
  • Forecasts when available.

For regional fire information, visit the Central Oregon Fire Info website. Fire information is available in English and Spanish.

Please remember that children are particularly sensitive to smoke because their respiratory systems are still developing.

Parents: Watch the smoke forecast and decide when to limit your child(ren)’s activities. If you do not wish for your child to spend time outdoors, please consider if the activity or program is the right choice for your family in challenging air conditions.

District Guidelines

The district will move activities indoors where possible when the AQI is consistently (hours or days) above 150. The district will make the following modifications to outdoor activities that do not have indoor options when conditions are expected to be in the following AQI ranges:

  • AQI 100-150: Outdoor activities will continue but may be modified including decreased intensity and more frequent breaks.
  • AQI 151-200: Outdoor activities will be limited to one hour and modified including decreased intensity and more frequent rest periods. Drop in, self-guided activities will usually remain available. See below for details.
  • AQI 201 or higher: Outdoor activities will normally be suspended or cancelled.

Communications

Delays and Cancellations: Programs and facilities that are affected by air quality or weather will be displayed on the website using the Delays and Cancellations Report.

Camps and program notifications: We aim to email participants in registration programs 1-2 hours prior to the start of the activity if it is delayed, relocated or canceled due to smoke. In the event that an activity is in progress and needs to be canceled, phone calls will be made to pick up your child within one hour.

Recreation centers and drop-in activities: Check online schedules prior to leaving for the most up-to-date information. Schedules will be updated to keep you informed of facility and program cancellations.

Thunderstorm closures

Outdoor activities, including outdoor pools and athletic activities, will be suspended when lightning or thunder is observed. The activities will resume 30 minutes after the last lightning and/or thunder event. Because thunderstorms are often unpredictable, we cannot usually provide advance notice of suspended operations.

Modifications to Outdoor Activities (Above 151 AQI)

When the AQI reaches above 151, outdoor activities will be modified if they cannot be moved indoors:

  • Short Programs (less than 75-minutes): will be limited to light activities and increased rest periods if they cannot be relocated indoors.
  • Half day and full-day programs: will be moved indoors or postponed/canceled if no indoor location is available. If relocated indoors, outdoor time will be limited to a total of one hour with light activities and increased rest periods.
  • Drop-in activities: Adult and all ages self-directed activities such as lap swim, family swim and roller skating will continue if staff is able to safely work.

Operational Updates

Snow Removal and Winter Maintenance in Bend Parks

Helpful Links

District Policy:

Bend Park and Recreation District may change its operating status during and surrounding periods of inclement weather, natural disasters, smoke events, or other emergencies. The district makes decisions based on environmental conditions impacting operations, and the decision may not be the same decision as other public entities, such as the school district, community college or university.