Santa Margarita has clear skies but concern about road closures

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Santa Margarita, sitting two-to-three miles as the crow flies from the Santiago Canyon fire in South Orange County, canceled practices and physical education classes that had an aerobic element on Tuesday, and any student that had breathing issues or home emergencies such as an evacuation was released from school.

‘Tomorrow we’ll have to make some decisions,’ said Richard Schaaf, athletic director, about Friday’s Trinity League football game against Orange Lutheran at Saddleback College. ‘So much stuff is unknown. I don’t know if it’s as much day-by-day as it is hour-by-hour.’

On Tuesday afternoon, Schaaf said the air was clear on campus, but there was concern about local roads.

‘Because we’re a commuter school, we have to be a little more concerned about roads being close down. Ninety percent of our practices were canceled ... water polo, cross-country. The football team is limited to walk-throughs or film sessions.’

If air quality is an issue affecting the football game, it could be delayed until Saturday or even Monday, Schaaf said.

- Martin Henderson