Skip to main content
Join

Los Angeles wildfires: Chargers release statement ahead of playoff matchup

by:Alex Byington•01/08/25•

_AlexByington

Chargers
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Chargers issued a statement of encouragement Wednesday amid the devastating wildfires raging across Southern California.

“The bravery, selflessness, courage, sacrifice, and compassion on display over the past 24 hours by first responders, good samaritans, friends, family and neighbors alike has been remarkable,” Chargers owner Dean Spanos said in a statement released on the team’s X/Twitter account Wednesday afternoon.

According to the Associated Press, thousands of firefighters have been battling three separate blazes from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena, home of the famed Rose Bowl Stadium.

More than 35 combined square miles have already burned among the three active blazes across the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst areas, according to the AP’s latest figures. More than 1.5 million residents are currently without power Wednesday, according to tracking site poweroutage.us.

Preliminary damage assessments are believed to be in the billions, per AccuWeather, which estimated roughly $52-57 billion in preliminary property damage and economic losses, the AP reported.

The Chargers kick off the NFL Playoffs with a road game against the Texans on Saturday (4:30 pm ET, CBS) at Houston’s NRG Stadium.

Los Angeles wildfires: Evacuation warning issued for Rose Bowl as Eaton fires rage

Multiple massive wildfires have engulfed the area surrounding Los Angeles and the new evacuation warning in Pasadena includes the Rose Bowl.

The wildfires have already destroyed more than 1,000 structures and claimed at least two lives, according to the Associated Press.

The Associated Press reported the following on the fires, which are now creeping in on the Rose Bowl, one of college football’s most iconic venues:

“At least four separate blazes were burning in the metropolitan area, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena, home of the famed Rose Parade,” the AP wrote. “With thousands of firefighters already attacking the flames, the Los Angeles Fire Department put out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help, and weather conditions were too windy for firefighting aircraft to fly, further hampering the fight. Fire officials hoped to get the flights up later Wednesday.”

In addition to the two lives the fires have already claimed, many others have been injured, along with millions in damage to abandoned homes and vehicles.

Thomas Goldkamp contributed to this report.