Sports teams, stars, networks and universities are among the many affected by the terrible wildfires that have killed at least two people 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 home 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 will be 'stepping away' from the Los Angeles Clippers to help a family who 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 been evacuated from that same area, as he revealed to reporters on Wednesday: “Our family, my wife's family, my twin sister wife, they have evacuated.” I know a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family.
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr is not in immediate danger, but told reporters that his 90-year-old mother Ann was among those evacuees from the Pacific Palisades fire on Wednesday.
What's more, ESPN canceled Wednesday's broadcast of NBA Today from its studio in Los Angeles, while schools near the Palisades fire, such as UCLA and Pepperdine, remain stable but are prepared to cancel any number of sporting events at any time. moment.
JJ Redick (far right) and Kawhi Leonard (left) have evacuated their families in Los Angeles.
Palisades Fire burns structure in Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles
Three large fires burned Wednesday in areas of the vast Los Angeles metroplex after two days of extraordinary winds. At least 70,000 people have evacuation orders and more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed. So far, two people have died in the fire north of Pasadena in a canyon several miles east of the venerable Rose Bowl.
The Rams and Los Angeles Chargers are training in areas not threatened by fires, but both teams are monitoring air quality and its potential impact on their preparations.
The Chargers changed their practice schedule Wednesday to minimize their players' outdoor time on the El Segundo coast, while the Rams don't resume practice until Thursday. The Chargers will be 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 based in Woodland Hills, a neighborhood about 13 miles north of fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades but separated by the Santa Monica Mountains.
The fire started around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, shortly after the onset of a wind storm in Santa Ana that the National Weather Service warned could be “life-threatening” and the strongest to hit Southern California. in more than a decade.
Winds were expected to increase overnight and continue for days, producing isolated gusts that could exceed 160 kilometers per hour (100 mph) in mountains and hills, even in areas that have not seen substantial rain in months.
'Our hearts go out to those affected by the Palisades wildfires and to the first responders protecting our community. “Be safe,” the Rams posted on social media Tuesday night. A team spokesperson referred questions to the NFL.