Nebraska officials keeping close eye on Oregon wildfire situation

The next few days will be very interesting to decide the fate of where and when Nebraska’s football game with Oregon will be played.

Wildfires and record heat in the Pacific Northwest have affected the overall air quality in the area, putting into question Saturday’s game in Eugene.

However, local officials expect the worst of the air quality to go down by Tuesday evening, and temperatures are also supposed to cool down by Thursday. Head coach Mike Riley and the Nebraska Athletic Department are going to keep a watchful eye on the situation.

“I don’t know anything more than that right now,” Riley said. “I was talking to my daughter yesterday about the fires and the smoke in the valley, so I’m not surprised by it. Then I read an article about it this morning too. I don’t know anything else about the possibilities.”

Minnesota also faces a similar situation this weekend, as the Gophers travel to Oregon State on Saturday for a night game.

“We are aware of that,” Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck said. “We’ve got amazing people in our organization that check in on all of that. First of all, I want to make sure everybody stays safe out west with the fires, it’s a very, very scary situation. I know a lot of people are being affected by it, and we are thinking of them and praying for them, and hope (the fires) go out quickly.

“We are aware of them, we know that they are there, we know the amount of heat that’s going through that part of the country right now in terms of temperature. I just hope everybody stays safe. We are willing and able to be able to adjust.”

Riley said he is unaware of any talks about moving the game at this point, but the Pac-12 did release this statement on Tuesday:

"Oregon and Oregon State have been working closely with the relevant region air protection agency, the Pac-12, and their own medical personnel to monitor and asses the air quality situation since fires broke out and they will continue to do so. Based upon the information provided by the air protection agency and the expert health and safety advice of the respective University medical professionals, a decision will be made on whether or not to adjust game times and/or dates with the safety of student-athletes and fans as a priority."