NFL moves playoff game, other sports impacted by Los Angeles wildfires
Los Angeles sports teams are taking precautions, moving and postponing events as firefighters continue to battle numerous wildfires around the region. The sheer devastation in some parts of the city is finally coming into focus, and several players, directly impacting coaches and their families.
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh addressed the media before the team left for its playoff game in Houston against the Texans.
“Heart goes out and our prayers go out, abundant prayers, to all those that have been affected by this tragedy,” Harbaugh said. “And also, I’ve just been inspired greatly by the first responders and firefighters and residents that have had each other’s backs.”
The Los Angeles Rams are preparing for their NFL Wild Card game against the Minnesota Vikings, scheduled for Monday, Jan. 13, in Inglewood, California. However, on Thursday evening, Jan. 9, the league announced that it had moved the game to Glendale, Arizona, just outside Phoenix “in the interests of public safety.”
In the interest of public safety, Monday's Wild Card game has been moved to Arizona.
Rams head coach Sean McVay also answered questions Thursday afternoon after the team practiced.
“It’s one of those deals that doesn’t feel real, but it certainly is real to the people that are affected –– praying that as many people are okay –– and you just see the amount of people that are affected, and it’s one of those deals that gives you perspective,” McVay said.
The fire also affected Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick. It destroyed the home he was renting in Pacific Palisades.
According to city officials, it’s one of over 5,000 other structures burned to the ground in that community. Redick’s family was able to evacuate Wednesday night.
Like the LA Kings game Wednesday, Jan. 8, the Lakers game Thursday at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles was postponed. No makeup date has been announced.
The NBA and NHL have also yet to decide on any of their games scheduled in the Los Angeles area over the weekend.
Hollywood stars lose homes as Southern California wildfire rages on
The Southern California wildfires are leaving a path of devastation, destroying homes and uprooting lives. Hollywood celebrities are among the thousands forced to evacuate and face losing their homes.
Actor James Woods flees flames
Actor James Woods shared a harrowing experience on CNN of evacuating his home as flames engulfed everything around him. “One day, you’re swimming in the pool, and the next day, it’s all gone,” Woods said during the interview.
Amid the chaos, Woods helped rescue an elderly neighbor with dementia. He urged others to evacuate immediately when warned, emphasizing the importance of staying out of firefighters’ way.
Steve Guttenberg steps in to help
Actor Steve Guttenberg also took action during the evacuations. After fleeing his home, he returned to help clear abandoned cars blocking evacuation routes.
“If anybody has a car and they leave their car, leave the keys so we can move the car so these firetrucks can get up Palisades Drive,” Guttenberg said in an interview with KTLA.
Paris Hilton loses Malibu home
Media personality Paris Hilton shared her heartbreak over losing her Malibu home. In a post on social media, Hilton wrote, “Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience.”
Hilton described the home as a place where her son, Phoenix, took his first steps and where she and her family dreamed of building a lifetime of memories. She added that her team is working to find ways to support the community.
Jamie Lee Curtis urges preparedness
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, speaking as an American Red Cross ambassador on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” emphasized the importance of emergency preparedness.
Her family has pledged $1 million to relief efforts supporting those affected by the fires.
Billy Crystal and other stars share losses
Actor Billy Crystal and his wife, Janice, also lost their longtime home to the Southern California wildfires. In a statement to ABC, Crystal said, “Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love.”
Actress Heidi Montag joined the list of celebrities affected, sharing an emotional message on TikTok: “I’m so sad our house is gone.”
Other stars impacted by the fires include singer Jhené Aiko, actor Cameron Mathison, chef Sandra Lee and former talk show host Ricki Lake.
How to help
The devastation from the Southern California wildfires is widespread, but there are ways to help. Organizations like the Red Cross and local relief funds are accepting donations.
Planet Fitness is offering free showers and charging stations for those affected, while Airbnb is providing temporary housing.
As wildfires rage in Calif., Fla. Gov. DeSantis pledges help to community
Southern California is just beginning to grapple with the damage left behind by the devastating wildfires that continue to rage across the region. With multiple blazes still burning strong, states are stepping in to offer assistance.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, D, declared a state of emergency this week as the largest fire in Pacific Palisades continues to spread. Thousands of firefighters are working to contain five separate wildfires across Los Angeles County, with authorities scrambling to control the rapidly growing blazes.
The widespread destruction prompted President Joe Biden to visit the scene and offer federal assistance.
Meanwhile, on the opposite coast, Florida has pledged support to help California rebuild. Gov. Ron DeSantis, R, offered his help, saying he is ready to assist the state in responding to the fires and in rebuilding the communities devastated by the flames.
Our prayers are with everyone affected by the horrific fires in Southern California. When disaster strikes, we must come together to help our fellow Americans in any way we can. The state of Florida has offered help to assist the people of California in responding to these fires…
DeSantis, along with Florida’s chief financial officer, took to social media to offer additional aid, announcing they are prepared to send a team of firefighters to join the battle on the front lines in California.
Despite their public political rivalry, California, a Democratic stronghold, and Florida, a battleground turned Republican hub, the two governors have both put aside their differences in the face of the disaster.
Newsom and DeSantis frequently clash over their approaches to governance, and faced off in a debate in late 2023 as DeSantis campaigned for the Republican presidential nomination. Over the course of the 90-minute debate, the two sparred over issues like COVID-19, abortion and crime rates.
However, this also isn’t the first time the two have worked in collaboration. Last October, after Hurricane Milton devastated the Gulf Coast, Newsom sent first responders to help with recovery efforts in Florida.
Looters arrested as wildfires rip through Los Angeles
Officials in Los Angeles County, California, are cracking down on looters taking advantage of people fleeing tragedy as deadly wildfires rip through the area. So far, police arrested 20 people accused of raiding homes since the start of the fires.
Around 180,000 people are under evacuation orders as of Thursday, Jan. 9, as the fast-moving flames reduce many homes to rubble from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena, California.
Fire officials said they’re still assessing the destruction. However, preliminary reports estimate thousands of structures are either damaged or destroyed.
In the middle of the chaos, looters have been spotted as officials warn potential copycats to stay out of evacuated homes.
“Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said during a news conference.
A member of a private security firm told the Los Angeles Times he was hired to guard areas against looters who might see the fires as an opportunity to target affluent neighborhoods, some with celebrity homes, that have been deserted.
So far, he said he’s had to chase off two people on a moped who were trespassing on a client’s property and caught a man leaving another home with a drone inside a luxury bag.
The Los Angeles County sheriff said around 400 department personnel have been deployed to the fire areas and are patrolling for looters.
California wildfires causing $57 billion in damage as providers canceled insurance
The devastating southern California wildfires could cause between $52 billion and $57 billion in economic losses, according to experts at AccuWeather. But homeowners affected have unique insurance factors in play as they try to put their lives back together. In the months leading up to the disaster, many affected homeowners lost their original insurance coverage.
There are at least five fires covering more than 45 square miles affecting the region. The Palisades Fire is the biggest, burning through nearly 27 square miles and destroying more than 1,000 buildings. As of the morning on Thursday, Jan. 9, it was zero percent contained and being called the most destructive fire in Los Angeles’ history.
“Should a large number of additional structures be burned in the coming days, it may become the worst wildfire in modern California history, based on the number of structures burned and economic loss,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathon Porter said.
In the wake of the devastation, homeowners in the area will face an uphill battle to rebuild. State Farm, a major insurer in the state, reportedly canceled hundreds of policies for homes in the Pacific Palisades over the summer to avoid “financial failure.”
“Insurance is a social good,” said Chuck Nyce, a professor of risk management and insurance at Florida State University. “It is really good at covering a loss that you may have when a bunch of other people who have the same exposure to it don’t have the loss at the same time. For one person who has an auto accident, there are hundreds of people who are insured who don’t have an accident at the same time.”
“When you have these things like wildfires or hurricanes or floods, and the loss affects a large portion of the population, especially in a very small geographical area at the same time, insurance works, but it doesn’t work as well,” Nyce said. “It becomes more expensive and the losses to the insurance company, when they become what they call ‘correlated,’ it makes insurance companies’ cost of capital higher, it makes their losses higher, it makes them more reluctant to do a large volume of business in a specific area.”
Filling the insurance void
Insurers have been backing out of the area as wildfires become more frequent and destructive. But there are options for those who can’t find private coverage in their communities.
“Every state has some type of a residual market called a FAIR plan. In most states, that will enable you to get access to that insurance, even if the private market is not willing to provide it,” Nyce said.
In California, Fair Access to Insurance Requirements “is a syndicated fire insurance pool comprised of all insurers licensed to conduct property/casualty business in California.” The program uses no public or taxpayer funding. But that doesn’t stop the cost from being spread to policyholders throughout the state.
“States have a variety of different ways in which they fund their FAIR plans. Some of them just allocate those policies to insurance companies,” Nyce said. “Other ones, what they’ll do is they will bill the insurance companies for losses that the FAIR plan absorbs. And if that’s the case in many states, what those insurance companies do, they can pass through those additional losses that they’re paying to the FAIR Plan to their current policyholders. So even though the state’s not paying for it, the citizens of that state are paying for it.”
The number of California FAIR policies has doubled between 2020 and 2024, reaching more than 450,000 customers, as insurers dialed back coverage in fire-ravaged regions. Since 2020, FAIR’s insurance exposure has surged from $153.43 billion to more than $458.08 billion, a 200% increase.
Nyce said all of this will eventually result in a secondary problem for people seeking homeowner policies.
“Price, availability, affordability, these are all issues that are going to be on the docket for California, probably for the next 10 or 20 years, with regard to insurance.”
“Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “This home is where we built so many precious memories … My heart and prayers are going out to every family affected by these fires.”
Despite the fact that many homeowners in the Palisades Fire have the means to recover, Nyce still says it’s not a good idea to go without insurance.
“These are some of the wealthiest homes in the country, some of the most expensive homes in the country, they can afford it, then they should be able to afford their insurance premiums,” he contended.
Celebrities among victims to lose homes in California wildfires
With tens of thousands of people impacted by the ongoing wildfires in California, come countless personal stories of loss, grief, shock and, in some cases, gratitude. Among those affected in the Los Angeles County and Hollywood area are some famous names.
Celebrities shared their accounts of the devastating scenes, something many said is like out of a movie.
Celebrities react to wildfires
“This Is Us” star Mandy Moore posted videos to her Instagram account of the fiery destruction in Altadena, writing, “I love you, Altadena. Grateful for my family and pets getting out last night before it was too late. Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all, so many have lost, including my family … our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together.”
“Seeing our home burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience. The devastation is unimaginable. To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking,” Hilton wrote.
Actor Billy Crystal released a statement with his wife after losing his Pacific Palisades home.
“Janice and I lived in our home since 1979,” Crystal said. “We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.”
James Woods, who once starred on the television show “Shark,” openly wept in a CNN interview as he talked about his immense loss and the search for his neighbors.
Wildfires halt life in Southern California
As the fires spread across the hub of the entertainment world, organizers postponed multiple movie premieres, TV productions and award shows.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) rescheduled the Critics Choice Awards to Jan.26. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences postponed the Oscar nominations announcement, pushing it back two days to Jan. 19.
5 dead, thousands of homes destroyed as fires rip through Los Angeles area
Five wildfires now burn in the Los Angeles area of Southern California, leaving death, destruction and devastation in their paths. And the infernos led President Joe Biden to cancel his final international trip in office. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
5 dead, thousands of homes destroyed as fires rip through Los Angeles area
At least five wildfires were burning in the heavily populated Los Angeles area of California on Thursday, Jan. 9, destroying thousands of homes and putting millions of lives in danger. At least five people died from the blaze and more than 100,000 evacuated their homes.
Dry conditions and strong winds continue to fuel the flames.
The newest fire, the Sunset Fire, sparked Wednesday night in the famous Hollywood Hills region. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s latest update at 11:50 p.m. PST on Wednesday, the blaze engulfed 60 acres at 0% contained.
The Palisades Fire remains the biggest threat, covering over 17,000 acres at 0% containment.
Officials said it destroyed at least 1,000 buildings, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.
The deadly Eaton Fire near Pasadena and Altadena spanned more than 10,000 acres at 0% contained. All five reported deaths were linked to the Eaton Fire.
Fire crews made headway on the Hurst Fire in the San Fernando Valley, containing about 10% of the blaze that spread to almost 900 acres, according to CalFire.
Crews made the most progress in fighting the Lidia Fire in Acton, about 50 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. That fire scorched about 350 acres, but CalFire said it was 40% contained.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said more than 7,500 firefighters, including crews from Oregon, New Mexico, and Washington state, are battling the flames.
More than 7,500 firefighting personnel are on the ground working with local and federal partners to respond to California's ongoing historic wildfires.
Southern California residents — please remain vigilant tonight. Listen to local officials and be ready to evacuate if you're…
While mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for certain areas, officials told everyone in the area to pack a go-bag and be prepared to leave.
Celebrities among victims to lose homes in California wildfires
With tens of thousands of people impacted by the ongoing wildfires in California, come countless personal stories of loss, grief, shock and, in some cases, gratitude. Among those affected in the Los Angeles County and Hollywood area are some famous names.
Celebrities shared their accounts of the devastating scenes, something many said is like out of a movie.
“This Is Us” star Mandy Moore posted videos to her Instagram account of the fiery destruction in Altadena, writing, “I love you, Altadena. Grateful for my family and pets getting out last night before it was too late. Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all, so many have lost, including my family … our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together.”
“Seeing our home burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience. The devastation is unimaginable. To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking,” Hilton wrote.
Actor Billy Crystal released a statement with his wife after losing his Pacific Palisades home.
“Janice and I lived in our home since 1979,” Crystal said. “We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.”
James Woods, who once starred on the television show “Shark,” openly wept in a CNN interview as he talked about his immense loss and the search for his neighbors.
As the fires spread across the hub of the entertainment world, organizers postponed multiple movie premieres, TV productions and award shows.
The Critics Choice Awards, originally scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 12, have been moved to Jan. 26. The Oscar nominations announcement was pushed back two days to Jan. 19.
An NHL hockey game involving the Los Angeles Kings was postponed Wednesday night. The NFL said it is monitoring the conditions as the Los Angeles Rams are slated to host a playoff game Monday night, Jan. 13.
Biden to deliver eulogy at Carter’s funeral, Trump to attend
On Thursday afternoon, President Joe Biden will deliver the eulogy at the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral.
President-elect Donald Trump will also attend the funeral. Trump, along with his wife Melania, were among those to pay their respects as the 39th president was lying in state at the Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday.
After the funeral, Carter’s body will take one final trip back to his home state of Georgia where he will be buried next to his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn.
While in Washington on Wednesday, Trump held a private meeting with Republican senators at the Capitol to discuss a strategy for top priorities heading into his second term. While speaking to reporters, Trump called the wildfires in California “a true tragedy.”
Biden announced Wednesday he canceled his final international trip of his presidency. He said he will remain in Washington, D.C., to monitor the deadly fires in Southern California.
Biden was set to take part in a three-day trip to Rome and the Vatican where he would meet with Pope Francis and the Italian president. His announcement came just hours after meeting his first great-grandchild, born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Capitol police arrest man who brought machete to Jimmy Carter viewing
As thousands of Americans paid their respects to Carter at the Capitol, authorities arrested a man Wednesday at a security screening for people waiting to view the late president as he lies in state in Washington.
Capitol police said the man, identified as Washington resident Mel Horne, carried a machete and three knives in a bag. Authorities spotted the weapons as the bag went through an X-ray machine. Horne now faces multiple charges of carrying a dangerous weapon.
Capitol police also said officers arrested a Virginia man who lit a bag containing accelerants on fire on top of his car near the Capitol. They do not believe the two incidents were connected.
Port strike averted after tentative deal reached
Longshoremen reached a tentative new contract deal Wednesday with shipping and port companies along the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S., averting a potentially crippling strike for now.
The United States Maritime Alliance, which represents ship lines and port operators, and union International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) said they’ve agreed on a six-year deal. However, the agreement is not official until ratified by union members.
The ILA represents 50,000 members who fill 25,000 jobs at 14 ports from Maine to Texas. If this deal wasn’t reached, port workers were set to go on strike beginning next Thursday, Jan. 16.
Details of the agreement have not yet been publicly released, but sources close to the matter said it addresses a key sticking point for workers: automation.
In October, Longshoremen agreed to a wage increase of 62% over six years, and the two sides pushed other issues into 2025 to end a three-day strike.
Airbnb.org providing free, temporary housing for displaced California residents
Airbnb.org, the nonprofit founded by Airbnb, is providing free, temporary housing for people displaced by the Los Angeles County fires. The organization partnered with the non-profit 211 LA to connect those who lost their homes or have been forced to evacuate with a free place to stay.
Sports leagues impacted by devastating Los Angeles wildfires
As wildfires continue to devastate several areas in and around Los Angeles, it’s now impacting sports leagues and schedules. On Wednesday, Jan. 8, the NFL issued a statement saying it is monitoring the fires ahead of Monday night’s Wild Card Playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams.
Air quality is a major concern for that matchup. However, numerous families and friends of Rams players and staff are also in harm’s way.
Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp shared his thoughts on social media, writing in part, “Thank you to the firefighters, first responders, and everyone else doing their best in unfathomable circumstances.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the fires.
Thank you to the firefighters, first responders, and everyone else doing their best in unfathomable circumstances.
After the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, Jan. 7, head coach JJ Redick’s thoughts were squarely back home, where his family had to evacuate.
“I just want to acknowledge and send thoughts and prayers to everyone in the Palisades right now. That’s where I live. Our family, my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, they’ve evacuated,” Redick said. “I know a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family. From the sound of things, with the winds coming tonight, I know a lot of people are scared. So, I just want to acknowledge that.”
And in the Bay Area, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr sent his thoughts to the victims, including his 90-year-old mother, who is among those affected.
“My mom lives in Pacific Palisades; she had to evacuate. Everett Dayton on our staff, he grew up in Pacific Palisades –– from what I gather, his family home is lost. And everything I’m seeing and reading, it’s just terrifying what’s happening down there.”
The National Hockey League has postponed Wednesday night’s game between the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames. The NHL has not announced a rescheduled date. The Los Angeles Lakers are planning on playing in the downtown arena Thursday night, though there’s no word yet on whether that game will happen as planned.
Gov. Newsom, LA mayor criticized over Palisades Fire response, empty hydrants
Multiple wildfires are continuing to burn across southern California, forcing more than 45,000 people to evacuate their homes. The Palisades Fire has resulted in at least two deaths and consumed over 1,000 structures. As of the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 8, the fire remains at zero percent containment.
As firefighters struggle with limited resources, including reports of empty hydrants amid a water shortage, local and state officials are facing mounting criticism from residents, online commentators and political figures.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is being criticized for being out of the country during this critical time. Bass was in Ghana as part of a U.S. delegation for the inauguration of Ghana’s president. Despite declaring a local state of emergency in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Jan. 7, and assuring the public that the city was aggressively addressing the fires on X, Bass’s absence has drawn criticism.
Notably, Elon Musk called her “utterly incompetent.” Developer Rick Caruso, who owns the Palisades Village shopping center in the affected area, criticized her trip.
“This is like a Third World country,” Caruso said. “There is no water coming out of the fire hydrants. LA Mayor Karen Bass is on a foreign trip to Ghana. The firefighters are there, and there’s nothing they can do. It should never happen.”
Bass is also under fire for cutting the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget by $17.6 million in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. This budget reduction is raising concerns about the city’s preparedness, especially with reports of water resources running dry. Firefighters have been radioing each other from active fire zones. They reported that fire hydrants were down and the water supply had dropped.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the city’s Water and Power Department acknowledged the diminished flow but could not specify how many hydrants were affected or explain why it was happening.
President-elect Donald Trump also weighed in on the water shortage during California’s state of emergency, criticizing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way,” Trump posted.
Trump blamed Newsom for prioritizing the protection of endangered fish species over the water supply, calling the situation the result of “incompetence.”
Newsom, who has been on the ground in active wildfire zones, assured residents in a video message on X that the state is working to contain the fires.
All hands are on deck to fight the #PalisadesFire in Southern California. California is deeply grateful for the brave firefighters & first responders battling the blaze.
We will continue to mobilize resources and support local communities as they respond to this severe weather. pic.twitter.com/JZrYy85e4z
“Hundreds of personnel are here, we’ve prepositioned 110 engines, we’ve got fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, dozers, water tenders, specialty personnel, putting everything we can into not only suppressing this fire but preventing additional fires over the course of the next few days,” Newsom said.
Water supply failures are not a new issue for the state. The Los Angeles Times reported that during the Mountain Fire in Ventura County in November 2024, inactive water pumps delayed water deliveries to areas affected by the fire.
The Palisades Fire is burning outside of California’s typical wildfire season. It is still at zero percent containment as of this publish time. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Hollywood premieres and events canceled amid wildfires
The Los Angeles wildfires are disrupting daily life and forcing Hollywood to make significant adjustments. Several high-profile premieres and events have been canceled or postponed as the fires continue to spread.
Studios are prioritizing safety over spectacle. According to Variety, Jennifer Lopez’s “Unstoppable” had a grand Hollywood premiere this week. However, the studio postponed the red carpet event due to the hazardous air quality caused by the fires.
“Unstoppable” is a biopic about a wrestler born without a leg who defies the odds to become an NCAA Division 1 champion. Amazon’s MGM Studios announced that the film will be released globally on Prime Video starting Jan. 16.
Universal Studios’ “Wolf Man” also joined the growing list of postponed premieres. Meanwhile, Paramount’s “Better Man” and Max’s “The Pitt” have added to the tally, bringing the total number of affected premieres to four as of Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Live events also impacted
It’s not just movie premieres feeling the impact. A live event planned for the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards nominations is now a virtual format. Organizers announced on X that they’ll unveil the nominations through a press release and their official website.
Here’s a full rundown of Hollywood events affected by the Los Angeles wildfires:
Premieres for “Unstoppable,” “Wolf Man,” “Better Man” and “The Pitt”