Sports teams, stars, networks and colleges are among many impacted by the horrific wildfires that have killed at least two and displaced thousands more in Los Angeles.
The NHL has postponed the Los Angeles Kings’ home game against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday, while the NFL continues to monitor the situation with both local teams preparing for the playoffs and the Rams hosting the Minnesota Vikings for a Wild Card playoff matchup on Monday night in Inglewood.
Meanwhile, according to Chris Haynes, NBA star Kawhi Leonard is ‘stepping away’ from the Los Angeles Clippers to help family that have been evacuated due to the Pacific Palisades wildfire hours before the team’s game against the Nuggets.
In fact, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick and his family have already evacuated from that same area, as he revealed to reporters Wednesday: ‘Our family, my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, they’ve evacuated. I know a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family.’
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr isn’t in any immediate danger, but told reporters that his 90-year-old mother Ann was among those evacuated from the Pacific Palisades fire on Wednesday.
What’s more, ESPN canceled Wednesday’s broadcast of NBA Today from its LA studio, while schools abutting the Palisades fire such as UCLA and Pepperdine are holding steady, but prepared to cancel any number of sporting events at a moments notice.
JJ Redick (far right) and Kawhi Leonard (left) have both evacuated their families in LA
The Palisades Fire burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles
Three major fires were burning in areas of the vast Los Angeles metroplex on Wednesday following two days of extraordinary winds. At least 70,000 people are under evacuation orders, and more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed. Thus far, two people have been killed in the fire north of Pasadena in a canyon several miles east of the venerable Rose Bowl.
The Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers both train in areas not threatened by fires, but both teams are monitoring the air quality and its potential impact on their preparations.
The Chargers changed their practice schedule Wednesday to minimize their players’ outdoor time in coastal El Segundo, while the Rams don’t resume practice until Thursday. The Chargers are on the road Saturday against the Houston Texans in the wild-card round.
The Rams said no players or staff members had yet been affected by the fires. The team is headquartered in Woodland Hills, a neighborhood located about 13 miles north of fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades, but separated by the Santa Monica Mountains.
The blaze began around 10:30am Tuesday, shortly after the start of a Santa Ana windstorm that the National Weather service warned could be ‘life-threatening’ and the strongest to hit Southern California in more than a decade.
The winds were expected to increase overnight and continue for days, producing isolated gusts that could top 100mph (160kph) in mountains and foothills – including in areas that haven´t seen substantial rain in months.
‘Our hearts are with those affected by the Palisades wildfires and the first responders protecting our community. Be safe,’ the Rams posted on social media Tuesday night. A spokesperson for the team deferred questions to the NFL.
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