Vikings-Rams wild-card playoff game moved to Glendale, Arizona as Los Angeles fires rage
Apocalyptic fires in Los Angeles are threatening homes and businesses across Southern California, and the NFL has decided to move the wild-card playoff game from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, to State Farm Stadium, the home of the Arizona Cardinals.
Charred remains of homes seen in Pacific Palisades after deadly California wildfires
FOX Weather's Robert Ray recorded this video of the aftermath of the Palisades Fire that ripped through parts of the Los Angeles metro area.
LOS ANGELES – Apocalyptic fires in Los Angeles are threatening homes and businesses across Southern California, and the NFL has decided to move the wild-card playoff game from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, to State Farm Stadium, the home of the Arizona Cardinals.
The Minnesota Vikings were expected to travel to Los Angeles to play the Rams in Monday's NFC Wild Card Playoff.
After the Kenneth Fire erupted and reports of after-practice activities were canceled, the NFL released a statement and ultimately moved the game to Arizona.
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"The decision was made in consultation with public officials, the participating clubs and the NFLPA," the NFL said Thursday evening.
The NFL had been monitoring the progression of the fires and had a contingency plan to move to Arizona in place should it be needed.
SoFi stadium may have a roof, but it is still considered an open-air stadium, meaning that decreasing air quality could mean problems for fans and players.
![OS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 8: A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire while it burns homes at Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The fast-moving wildfire has grown to more than 2900-acres and is threatening homes in the coastal neighborhood amid intense Santa Ana Winds and dry conditions in Southern California.]()
Image 1 of 6LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 8: A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire while it burns homes at Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Apu Gomes)
![LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 8: A firefighter watches the flames from the Palisades Fire burning homes on the Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The fast-moving wildfire has grown to more than 2900-acres and is threatening homes in the coastal neighborhood amid intense Santa Ana Winds and dry conditions in Southern California]()
Image 2 of 6LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 8: A firefighter watches the flames from the Palisades Fire burning homes on the Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Apu Gomes)
![Firefighters battle the Eaton Fire in strong winds as many homes burn on January 7, 2025 in Pasadena, California.]()
Image 3 of 6Firefighters battle the Eaton Fire in strong winds as many homes burn on January 7, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (David McNew/Getty Images)
![A home is engulfed in flames during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California on January 8, 2025.]()
Image 4 of 6A home is engulfed in flames during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California on January 8, 2025. (JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
![Flames from the Palisades Fire burns a car and homes during a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.]()
Image 5 of 6Flames from the Palisades Fire burns a car and homes during a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
![A firefighter fights the flames from the Palisades Fire burning the Theatre Palisades during a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.]()
Image 6 of 6A firefighter fights the flames from the Palisades Fire burning the Theatre Palisades during a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
SoFi Stadium is about 20 miles southeast of the raging Palisades Fire, which had already burned 17,000 acres as of Thursday.
Officials said that five people were killed in the nearby Eaton Fire, which had burned nearly 14,000 acres.
A state of emergency was declared in Southern California as fierce wildfires fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds continue to rage. Thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate as flames tear through coastal communities, including Santa Monica and Malibu.
While the windstorm is supposed to subside by the weekend, another event Monday could bring strong winds back to the area.
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