The Rams have confirmed that their wild card playoff game against the Vikings is going ahead as planned, even as wildfires ravage Los Angeles. (UPDATE: The game has now been relocated)
But the team reiterated that the NFL is ready to host the game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, if it needs to be moved from SoFi Stadium.
As of Thursday afternoon, at least five wildfires were still raging in Los Angeles, with the two largest covering 27,000 acres, as firefighters struggled to contain them.
Five people have lost their lives in the unfolding disaster: 130,000 local residents and 20 square miles of destroyed territory have been ordered to evacuate.
It comes just days before the NFL playoffs begin, with the Rams scheduled to host the Vikings in the first round.
“The safety of the Los Angeles community is our top priority, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by the fires in the area,” a statement from the Rams read.
Wildfires continue to rage in Los Angeles as firefighters battle to contain the flames.
The Rams are scheduled to host the Vikings at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Greater Los Angeles.
The game could still be moved to State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals.
‘We are grateful for the tireless efforts of first responders who continue to protect our city and community, as well as the people who continue to help our neighbors in need.
‘As of now, the Wild Card playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings remains scheduled to be played at SoFi Stadium on Monday night at 5 pm Pacific Time.
‘As with all games, the NFL has contingency plans in case a change of location is necessary due to the tragic fires in our region.
‘If the NFL decides a location change is necessary, the game would be played Monday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ.
‘At the moment this is just a contingency plan and if that happens we will inform all ticket holders by email what that means for their current tickets.
‘We will continue to closely monitor the situation and remain in contact with local officials, the NFL and the NFLPA. We hope you are all somewhere safe and we look forward to seeing you on Monday night.’
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Chargers changed their practice schedule to minimize the time players spent outdoors on the El Segundo coast. Jim Harbaugh’s team will be on the road Saturday against the Houston Texans.
The NBA postponed Thursday night’s game between the Lakers and Charlotte Hornets due to the ongoing fires in Los Angeles.
Five people have lost their lives and 20 square miles of territory destroyed in the wildfires
A building is burned by flames in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles
According to ESPN, Lakers coach JJ Redick is among those who have lost their home.
Redick said Wednesday that his family had already been evacuated from the Pacific Palisades area, explaining: ‘Our family, my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, have evacuated. I know a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family.
It was the second day in a row that a game scheduled to be played in downtown Los Angeles was postponed.
The NHL’s Los Angeles Kings were scheduled to host the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night.