The Los Angeles Rams may be moving their NFC wild-card playoff game Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings to Phoenix, the National Football League announced Thursday.
Over 100,000 residents have had to flee their homes as multiple fires continues to carve a path of ash through much of western Los Angeles County. With the Palisades fire burning only 10 miles from where the Rams call home, the wild-card matchup set to be played at SoFi Stadium has a backup plan should the conditions on the ground become untenable.
"The NFL's priority is the safety of the Los Angeles community," the league's statement read. "We are grateful for the tireless efforts of the first responders. Our hearts are with Los Angeles and everyone affected by the fires."
Over 15,000 acres have been decimated by the fire in Palisades alone, and close to 2,000 structures have been destroyed across the county. Of the four fires currently burning across Los Angeles, three were listed as zero percent contained as of Thursday morning. The contingency plan from the league is to keep the game on Monday night but move the venue to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, instead.
"We will continue to closely monitor developments in the area and will remain in contact with public officials, both clubs and the NFLPA," the league's statement concluded.
As of Thursday morning, the Eaton fire, Palisades fire, and Sunset fire continued to burn parts of Los Angeles County, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals. Preliminary estimates have already put the damage and economic losses from the fires at a minimum of $50 billion.