The City of Sacramento’s 8th annual Veterans Day parade has been canceled due to poor air quality caused by the massive Camp Fire burning in Butte County.
The parade was scheduled to begin to at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11 in downtown Sacramento near Capitol Mall.
“We were very much looking forward to honoring the women and men who have served their country,” said Daniel Bowers, Director of Emergency Management for the City of Sacramento.
“However, the safety and well-being of our attendees, parade participants and staff is paramount. Because the Air Quality Index is in the ‘unhealthy’ range, we made the decision to cancel the parade. We had expected many elderly people and families with children to attend, and both of those groups are especially susceptible to unhealthy air quality.”
Sunday’s Veterans Day parade also was to include a special salute to “Women in the Military — Past, Present, and Future.” A Women’s Resource Fair had been planned at 6th Street and Capitol Mall beginning at 9 a.m. That too has been canceled.
The Camp Fire in Butte County has burned nearly 100,000 acres since it started Nov. 8. It has claimed nine lives and destroyed more than 6,700 building, making it the most destructive fire in California history in terms of structures burned. As of Nov. 10, it was 20 percent contained.
“Let us remember this cancellation is a minor inconvenience that pales in comparison to the suffering of our northern neighbors,” Bowers said.
“Many have lost their homes, businesses and tragically, the lives of family members. As a veteran myself having served in the Marine Corps, I know the City of Sacramento has the utmost respect for veterans, and we will have many opportunities under better circumstances to honor our veteran community.”
In addition to the City of Sacramento, partners in the Veterans Day parade included the Women Veterans Alliance, the California Department of Veterans Affairs, Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 104, the California Auto Museum, the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, the California Professional Firefighters Association and the Sacramento Police Department.