Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) announced the cancellation of all outdoor activities scheduled for today due to potential air quality concerns stemming from a chemical fire in neighboring Rockdale County. The district is taking precautionary measures as shifting winds have caused the effects of the fire to spread to parts of Gwinnett County.
The chemical fire, which occurred yesterday at the BioLab facility in Rockdale County, led to the detection of chlorine in the air, prompting local officials to issue a shelter-in-place order for Rockdale residents. Gwinnett school officials, citing the importance of student and staff safety, have also ceased bringing outside air into school buildings as a precautionary step.
In a statement, GCPS emphasized that they are closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with local and state health departments. They advised families and staff to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed until the air quality improves.
While all outdoor activities are canceled, it remains undecided whether the high school football games scheduled for tonight will proceed. These games had already been postponed last week due to Hurricane Helene. The district indicated that games could take place if air quality shows signs of improvement later in the day.
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Rockdale County schools, meanwhile, remain closed following the fire, and Gwinnett officials have urged their community to stay cautious until conditions stabilize.
