DALLAS — Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick revealed that his family is among those affected by a wildfire in Southern California, which has led to widespread evacuations in the region. The blaze has been fueled by strong winds and has impacted areas near Los Angeles, particularly in the upscale neighborhood of Pacific Palisades where many celebrities reside.
Before his team faced off against the Mavericks in Dallas, Redick expressed his concerns regarding the fire’s impact on his loved ones. “I want to take a moment to send my thoughts and prayers to everyone in the Palisades area,” he stated before the Lakers’ 118-97 defeat to the Mavericks. “That’s my home. Our family members, including my wife’s family and her twin sister, have had to evacuate. I know many people, including my family, are understandably anxious right now. With the winds expected to pick up tonight, I can only imagine the fear in the community. All my thoughts are with them, and I hope everyone remains safe.”
Meanwhile, TNT disclosed that the Lakers’ return flight to Los Angeles would experience delays due to the wildfire. Despite this, the team confirmed that they still planned to fly back on Tuesday night, although they were prepared for possible rerouting as smoke was anticipated to impact the airspace over Los Angeles.
While fire officials have not yet provided a definitive count of buildings that have been damaged or destroyed, around 30,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, and over 13,000 buildings remain under threat due to the fire’s proximity. The wildfire reportedly ignited around 10:30 a.m., just after the onset of a Santa Ana windstorm that the National Weather Service warned could be dangerously strong—among the most intense events in Southern California in over a decade. At this time, the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined, with no reported injuries.
The winds are predicted to intensify overnight and persist for several days, creating isolated gusts that may exceed 100 mph in mountainous areas and foothills, notably in regions that have not experienced significant rainfall in months.
