By Rory Carroll
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – The NHL’s Los Angeles Kings have postponed Wednesday’s home game against the Calgary Flames due to ongoing wildfires in the region that have led to evacuation orders for 70,000 people and killed at least two.
“Our hearts are with our entire Los Angeles community,” the Kings said in a statement.
“We appreciate the hard working First Responders who are diligently working to contain the fire and protect our community.
“We appreciate the League’s support in keeping our fans, staff and players safe.”
The NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers’ head coach JJ Redick on Tuesday said members of his family had evacuated their home in the fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.
“I just want to acknowledge and send thoughts and prayers to everyone in the Palisades right now,” Redick said before the Lakers’ 118-97 road loss to the Mavericks in Dallas.
The Lakers returned home to LA after the game, did not practise on Wednesday, and are scheduled to host the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena, the same venue where the Kings play, on Thursday night.
The NFL’s Los Angeles Rams were scheduled to hold practice on Thursday at their facility in Woodland Hills ahead of their playoff game on Monday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
The playoff-bound Los Angeles Chargers held an indoor practice on Wednesday, according to ESPN.
Fierce winds were hindering firefighting efforts and fueling the fires, which have burned unimpeded since they began on Tuesday.
The winds have made it impossible to offer aerial support for firefighting operations, officials said, putting municipal water systems under immense strain. Residents were urged to conserve water use.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Toby Davis)
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