Laurel Park will not conduct its Friday, June 30 card as scheduled “due to poor air quality,” the track informed horsemen in a text message. The card will be moved in its entirety to Thursday, July 6 and will not be redrawn.

It’s Laurel fifth cancellation of the year, the other four having come in April as a result of issues with the dirt racing strip.

The air quality index in Laurel, according to airnow.gov, is 155. That puts it in the “unhealthy” category, with sensitive populations, such as children, older adults, and those with heart or lung disease, encouraged to stay inside. All others are urged to curtail their outdoor activities.

Wildfires have been burning throughout Canada since late April with nearly 500 reported active fires. This year, experts say, eastern provinces, especially Quebec, have been hit unusually hard. Fires have scorched more than 19 million acres, setting a record.

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