By Rory Carroll
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -The National Football League has moved Monday’s playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams to Arizona after wildfires ravaged the region surrounding the Rams’ SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The NFL said the decision to hold the Wild Card game at the home of the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale was made in the interest of public safety and after consultations with public officials, participating clubs and the NFL Players Association.
Rams quarterback Matt Stafford said the team would proudly represent Los Angeles wherever they play.
“Every time we suit up, we’re the Los Angeles Rams,” Stafford said.
“We play for the people in this community, the people that support us, and this week will be another example of that.”
Earlier, the NBA postponed Thursday’s game between the Lakers and the Charlotte Hornets in Los Angeles due to the ongoing natural disaster.
Two massive wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles County were burning uncontained on Thursday, two days after they ignited to create the worst wild fire event in the state’s history.
At least seven people have been killed, thousands of homes and businesses have been incinerated and nearly 180,000 people have been ordered to evacuate their homes, with another 200,000 under evacuation warnings, officials said.
“We’re heartbroken for Los Angeles,” the Lakers said in a statement.
“Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this unimaginable situation. And our gratitude is with the first responders and all of you who come together when we need each other the most.”
No makeup date for the game has been announced yet.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick lost his house in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles in the blaze, ESPN reported on Thursday.
‘CAN’T BE REAL’
New Zealand women’s national soccer team captain Ali Riley, who plays for NWSL side Angel City FC, said her home was among those burned in the Palisades fire.
“This was our home. How is this real. It can’t be real,” Riley posted on X with a photo of a decimated neighborhood.
Three-time U.S. Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr. managed to escape the Palisades fire with his dog Puddles, his insulin and a few personal items before his rented home was lost in the blaze.
“He has also most likely lost his ten Olympic medals, but nothing can take away his spirit that won those medals,” a GoFundMe page set up for him said.
Santa Anita Park postponed Friday’s racing program until Jan. 16 due to the forecast of poor air quality for the San Gabriel Valley, the horse racing venue said.
“While Santa Anita continues to remain well outside of any active fire area, the smoke from the wildfires is affecting all of Los Angeles County,” said Nate Newby, Santa Anita’s general manager.
“We also want to respect the impact that this tragedy has had on many of our community, including our horsemen and women and our own Santa Anita team, who have been devastated by these fires.”
The Palisades fire between Santa Monica and Malibu on the city’s western flank and the Eaton Fire in the east near Pasadena are the most destructive in Los Angeles history, consuming nearly 31,000 acres (12,500 hectares) – or some 48 square miles (125 sq km) – and turning entire neighborhoods to ash.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Additional reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Ed Osmond, Peter Rutherford)
