California wildfire forces mother of Warriors head coach to evacuate: ‘Simply terrifying’
Mother of Golden State Warriors Head coach Steve Kerr evacuated his home in the Los Angeles area as the fires raged Tuesday into Wednesday morning.
Kerr’s 90-year-old mother, Ann, left her home in Pacific Palisades after the evacuation order was issued. The coach talked about the harrowing situation unfolding after the team’s 114-98 loss Miami Heat.
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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr watches the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
“I want to send my thoughts and condolences to everyone in Los Angeles battling the fires,” he said. “My mom lives in Pacific Palisades. She had to evacuate.”
Everett Dayton, a member of the organization’s player development department, lost his family home in the area, Kerr said.
“Everything I see and read is scary what’s going on down there,” Kerr said. “So I just want to send my thoughts to everyone going through the devastation of the fire. Obviously the game is secondary to that and a lot of things in life. Perspective is important.”
CALIFORNIA FIRES RAGE THROUGH LOS ANGELES COUNTY, FORCING THOUSANDS TO EVACUATE THEIR HOMES
The Palisades Fire burns during a storm on the west side of Los Angeles on January 7, 2025. (REUTERS/Ringo Chiu)
Ann Kerr was among the thousands forced to flee the area because three separate fires broke out on Tuesday in the Los Angeles area. The first started near a nature preserve in the interior of the hills northeast of Los Angeles. The second happened in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. The third, which began around 10:30 PM PT, occurred in the San Fernando Valley.
On Monday, Los Angeles authorities warned of strong winds to hit the region. Winds helped fuel the fire on Tuesday as some locations reported gusts in excess of 60 mph, increasing to 70 mph by early Wednesday.
Wind whips embers as the Palisades Fire burns during a storm on the west side of Los Angeles on January 7, 2025. (REUTERS/Ringo Chiu)
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A high wind warning was in effect for the region until 6 p.m. PT, the weather service said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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