The recent fires ravaging parts of Los Angeles are casting an ominous shadow over daily life, and the sports community is feeling the heat.
Since the flames were ignited Tuesday morning, they have quickly spread across the region, forcing evacuations and reshaping the landscape for local athletes and teams. As of Wednesday morning, several fires were active, including the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires, forcing more than 30,000 residents from their homes, according to Reuters.
Among those affected was Lakers coach JJ Redick, who resides in the Palisades. Before the Lakers took the court in Dallas on Tuesday night, he expressed concern for his family and those of others caught in the chaos.
“Our family, as well as that of my wife’s twin sister, had to evacuate. I know many people are understandably anxious, including my loved ones,” Redick shared with the media. “With strong winds expected, it is natural for everyone to feel scared. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected, hoping for their safety.”
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The disruptions even reached ESPN, which announced changes to its program. Reporter Malika Andrews took to social media to inform her followers that NBA Today would not air Wednesday afternoon, while expressing support for those impacted by the fires, with ESPN’s downtown studio remaining unscathed.
The wildfires also caused significant damage to educational institutions, including Palisades Charter High School, well known for its film appearances in classics like Freaky Friday et Teen Wolf. Reports indicate that the fire ravaged major sports facilities, including the football field, baseball diamonds and tennis courts. Steve Kerr, Warriors coach and alumnus of the school, shared that his 90-year-old mother had to evacuate her home due to the fires.
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Nearby UCLA and Pepperdine University are on opposite sides of the Palisades Fire impact zone. Although both facilities are currently operational, UCLA assured its community via email that there was no immediate danger, citing healthy air quality levels. However, questions remain about the impact of the fires on sports teams, including the No. 1-ranked women’s basketball team, which played an away game Tuesday night but did not confirm when it might return. on campus.
Communications from Pepperdine have been more frequent, with recent updates indicating that the fire is about 3.5 miles east of its Malibu campus and therefore poses no direct threat, although in-person classes have been canceled for the day. This follows a precedent set in December when Pepperdine maintained its stance of not evacuating students even as flames approached its grounds.
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As for the NFL, SoFi Stadium — located about 15 miles from the evacuation zone — is preparing to host the highly anticipated Rams-Vikings wild-card game Monday night. Although the flames are not expected to reach that distance, concerns remain about the safety and travel plans of the Vikings and their fans, as well as the scheduling of practices and events leading up to the game. Neither the NFL nor the Rams have yet responded to inquiries about the potential impacts of the fire on the game. In a gesture of solidarity, the Rams tweeted: “Our hearts are with those affected by the Palisades wildfires and the first responders protecting our community. Stay safe.”
