School started Wednesday morning for students in the North Beach School District under a hazy sky that for once was not the normal late-summer coastal fog.

Even air in Ocean Shores has been impacted by the wildfires burning east of the Cascade mountains in Central Washington, prompting some health concerns raised by parents on the first day of school.

North Beach Supt. Deborah Holcomb addressed the air-quality concerns with the following message:

“Dear Parents and Guardians,

“We know you are very aware of changing air quality conditions due to active fires nearby and around our state. We have received questions and a few concerns about the ash and particulates in the air, which you may actually see accumulating on cars. News reports indicate the ash falling in our area is coming from a fire near the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort that we understand is not yet contained.

“After consultation with regional health officials we have decided to continue all scheduled student activities (athletic practices etc.) today. Any student with asthma, respiratory infection, diabetes, lung or heart disease, or history of strokes will be excused from these activities upon request. All district activities and operations will continue as planned tomorrow.

“Student and staff safety are a primary concern for us, and we will continue to monitor air quality conditions closely over the next two days. If needed we will follow-up with additional communications, especially if air quality worsens. Current forecasts indicate we can expect improvement in air quality starting tonight and through Thursday.”

The North Beach School District encompasses 25 miles from Ocean Shores Elementary School to Pacific Beach Elementary School. District boundaries are north to the Quinault Nation line, west to Ocean Shores Jetty, east to the Copalis Crossing store, and south to Burrows Road.

(Scott D, Johnston photo) Students return for the first day of school at Ocean Shores Elementary School on Wednesday. (Scott D, Johnston photo) Students return for the first day of school at Ocean Shores Elementary School on Wednesday.

(Scott D, Johnston photo) A bus arrives for the first day of school at Ocean Shores Elementary School on Wednesday. (Scott D, Johnston photo) A bus arrives for the first day of school at Ocean Shores Elementary School on Wednesday.