Horse racing and college basketball games postponed due to devastating wildfires across the Los Angeles region
Forest fires ravaged neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles in recent days.
More than 12,000 homes were destroyed in the fierce fires that left at least 11 dead.
A wildfire raging on the city’s west side has resulted in the latest evacuation order, forcing Santa Anita to cancel this weekend’s horse racing event.
The track in Arcadia, near the smoldering Eaton Fire that decimated Altadena, announced Friday that it plans to resume racing Saturday, depending on air quality conditions.
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Richi and jockey Kazushi Kimura, right, win the $100,000 Las Flores Stakes Grade III horse race on Jan. 4, 2025, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. (Photo by Benoit via AP)
However, track officials said Saturday’s race will be canceled due to new developments with the Palisades Fire.
Air quality standards at the track remain within limits set by the California Horse Racing Board and the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority, according to track officials. However, the organizers were concerned about the increasing impact of the fire Los Angeles County.
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The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection confirmed the Palisades Fire was 11% contained Saturday morning, while the Eaton Fire was listed as 15% contained.
The 90-year-old track in Southern California it is also used to support various relief efforts.
An American flag hangs on the door of a home destroyed by the Eaton fire in Altadena, Calif., Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Charity delivery is set in a bowl of roses was moved to the south parking lot of Santa Anita on Friday. Southern California Edison is using the entire north parking lot as its base to restore power to those in the affected areas. The track cooperates with other organizations that are looking for space.
Morning trainings continue as scheduled on Saturday and Sunday. The track has its own security staff and does not use local emergency services for normal events.
Rescheduled dates for the postponed races are expected to be announced at a later date.
The sports world has felt the impact of unprecedented fires this week. Malibu is one of several areas hit hard by the Palisades fire.
Pepperdine Universitywhose main campus is on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, postponed its men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader Saturday. School officials cited the Palisades fire and travel conditions in Los Angeles.
Pepperdine University in Malibu on October 18, 2023. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
However, Pepperdine’s Malibu campus remains free from any immediate threat posed by the fire. But access to the campus is limited to the north side. Pacific Coast Highway south of campus is closed.
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Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount are in communication with the West Coast Conference about moving the schedule. Elsewhere, fourth place USC Women’s Basketball the team is scheduled to play a Big Ten Conference game against Penn State on Sunday night. Officials are monitoring the conditions, the spokesman confirmed.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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