Lakers coach JJ Redick says his family is out and people are 'confused' by the wildfires in LA.
DALLAS (AP) – Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick said his family members were among those in Southern California who were forced to evacuate their homes Tuesday due to the wildfires raging in Los Angeles.
The fire passed through the Los Angeles hill where Redick lives with other celebrities, burned homes in Pacific Palisades and issued evacuation orders for tens of thousands.
Before the Lakers took on the Mavericks in Dallas, Redick acknowledged the difficulty of the situation affecting his family and neighbors.
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“I want to acknowledge and send my thoughts and prayers to everyone in Palisades right now,” Redick said before the Lakers' 118-97 loss to the Mavericks. “That's where I live.
“My family, my wife, my wife's twin, have fled. I know a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family. Because of the sound of things, and the winds coming (Tuesday night), I know a lot of people are afraid. So I just want to acknowledge that. Thoughts and prayers are sure, and I hope everyone stays safe. “
TNT reported on its broadcast that the Lakers' flight back to Los Angeles would be delayed. However, the group said the flight was still scheduled for Tuesday night, despite smoke-filled skies over the LA area forcing other routes.
Officials did not give an exact number of buildings damaged or destroyed in the Pacific Palisades wildfire, but said about 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders and more than 13,000 buildings were at risk.
The fire started around 10:30 a.m., shortly after the start of a Santa Ana storm that the National Weather Service warned could be “life-threatening” and the strongest to hit Southern California in more than a decade. The cause of the fire was not yet known and no injuries were reported, officials said.
Winds were expected to pick up overnight and continue for days, producing isolated gusts of up to 100 mph (160 kph) in the mountains and mountains – including areas that haven't seen much rain in months.
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