Disturbing footage has emerged from the Los Angeles Chargers practice, where many players opted to wear masks amid dangerous air quality levels as they prepared for their playoff opener in Houston on Saturday.
Of course, it wasn’t the masks that made the scene so shocking, but rather the brownish-yellow haze that hung in the air as the Palisades Fires continued to burn along the Pacific coast. Backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke, defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia and offensive tackle Joe Alt were among the players spotted in the apocalyptic setting, which resembled a scene from Terminator 2.
ESPN’s Kris Rhim And Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the LA Times were among a number of reporters who shared the terrifying photos from Thursday’s workout in Woodland Hills, a neighborhood about 13 miles north of the fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades but separated by the Santa Monica Mountains.
Coach Jim Harbaugh had the Chargers’ offensive and defensive units practice separately to limit their time on the field. The air quality at the team’s complex on Wednesday was 185. Anything above 150 is considered unhealthy.
“Abundant prayers for everyone affected by this tragedy,” Harbaugh told the media Thursday while wearing an LAFD baseball hat. “Additionally, I am deeply inspired by the first responders, firefighters and residents who came together and supported each other. That was extremely inspiring.
“So, even though we’ve been on a mission,” he continued, “lots of prayers and thoughts for everyone involved in this fight. We see neighbors on top of houses helping fellow neighbors, it’s really inspiring.’
QB Taylor Heinicke, defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia and right tackle Joe Alt were among the players spotted in the apocalyptic setting, which resembled a scene from Terminator 2
Smoke from the recent fires obscures the sun at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The Rams will host the Minnesota Vikings at the stadium on Monday in a Wild Card round playoff game
Jim Harbaugh spoke to the media Thursday while wearing an LAFD baseball hat
Three major fires raged in parts of the sprawling Los Angeles metroplex after two days of unusual winds. A major threat broke out in the Hollywood Hills, close to the heart of the entertainment industry, on Wednesday evening, but it was contained by Thursday morning.
About 180,000 people are under evacuation orders, and the fires have consumed about 70 square miles (117 square kilometers) — about the size of San Francisco. The Palisades Fire is already the most destructive in Los Angeles history.
The Rams and Los Angeles Chargers both train in areas not threatened by fires, but both teams monitor air quality and its potential impact on their practices.
The Chargers changed their practice schedule Wednesday to minimize their players’ outdoor time in the coastal city of El Segundo. The Chargers leave for Houston after practice on Thursday and their AFC wild-card game against the Texans on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Rams sent a statement to season ticket holders and fans Thursday morning reiterating that Monday night’s NFC wild-card postseason game against the Minnesota Vikings will still be played as scheduled Monday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
The NFL said Wednesday night that if the game had to be rescheduled, it would take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, home of the Arizona Cardinals.
In 2003, the league moved a Monday night regular-season game between the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers to Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, due to wildfires.