Lakers coach JJ Redick, Palisades resident, offers ‘thoughts and prayers’ after family evacuated due to fire
Pacific Palisades took the sports world by storm, as Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick was directly affected.
Redick is a resident of the area that was ravaged by forest fires on Tuesday.
More than 13,000 buildings and 26,000 people are in the evacuation zone, which has been designated as “under immediate threat,” according to Los Angeles Fire department.
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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick speaks to the media during an introductory news conference at the UCLA Health Training Center. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
Redick said his and his wife’s family members were among those who evacuated.
The head coach expressed his opinion ahead of his team’s game against the Mavericks in Dallas.
“I just want to acknowledge and send thoughts and prayers to everyone in the Palisades right now. That’s where I live. Our family, my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, they evacuated,” Redick he told the media on Tuesday. “I know a lot of people are scared right now, including my family. From the sound of things, I know a lot of people are scared. I just want to acknowledge that. Thoughts and prayers for sure, and I hope everyone stays safe.”
Firefighters run as a brush burns in Pacific Palisades, California on January 7, 2025. (DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom was near the fire and was notified by authorities, his office said.
Actor James Woods77, was also forced to evacuate his home.
More than 250 LAFD firefighters battled the blaze, along with firefighters from neighboring agencies. About 30 vehicles left abandoned on Sunset and Palisades will be moved by the district to allow free access, the fire department said.
LA Mayor Karen Bass is currently out of town attending John Dramani Mahama’s inauguration in Accra, Ghana, according to a White House statement.
Los Angeles County fire officials said elevated weather conditions for the fires with dry coastal winds are expected to last through Wednesday.
Flames and smoke from the Pacific Palisades fire can be seen in the hills behind homes in Santa Monica, California. Tuesday, January 7, 2025 (San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
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“Residents should remain prepared to evacuate and stay away from the area to allow emergency responders to operate safely,” the agency said.
Fox News’ Alexandra Koch and Louis Casano contributed to this report.
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