Smoke From King Fire Cancels Ironman Tahoe Events

RENO, Nev. (AP) - Ironman races in Lake Tahoe were canceled on Sunday due to smoke and unhealthy air quality from a northern California wildfire.

Ironman Lake Tahoe and Ironman 70.3 Lake Tahoe operations manager Keats McGonigal said the mood was "somber" when the decision was announced.

McGonigal says it was made for the safety of 3,000 entrants, as well as spectators and volunteers.

There were no plans to reschedule.

World Triathlon Corp. says the cancellation followed recommendations from California and Placer County health officials.

Placer County air pollution officer Tom Christofk says in a statement that sensors in Squaw Valley, Tahoe City, Kings Beach and Truckee recorded high levels of particulate matter.

He says the source was the King Fire, covering more than 128 square miles some 60 miles east of Sacramento.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.