Lakers’ JJ Redick says family evacuated due to wildfires in LA

DALLAS — Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick said members of his family were among those in Southern California forced to evacuate their homes Tuesday because of a wildfire whipped by strong winds around Los Angeles.

The fire swept through a Los Angeles hillside where Redick lives with other celebrities, burning homes in Pacific Palisades and triggering evacuation orders for tens of thousands.

Before the Lakers took on the Mavericks in Dallas, Redick acknowledged the gravity of the situation affecting his family and neighbors.

“I just want to acknowledge and send thoughts and prayers to everyone in the Palisades right now,” Redick said prior to the Lakers’ 118-97 loss to the Mavericks. “That’s where I live.

“Our family, my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, they’ve been evacuated. I know a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family. From the sound of things, with the wind coming (Tuesday night), I know that a lot of people are scared so I just want to acknowledge that and I hope everyone stays safe.

TNT reported on its broadcast that the Lakers’ flight back to Los Angeles would be delayed. However, the team said the flight was still scheduled for Tuesday night, despite the potential for smoky skies in the LA area forcing alternate routes.

Officials did not provide an exact number of structures damaged or destroyed in the Pacific Palisades wildfire, but they said about 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders and more than 13,000 structures were threatened.

The fire began around 10:30 a.m., shortly after the start of a Santa Ana windstorm that the National Weather Service warned could be life-threatening and the strongest to hit Southern California in more than a decade. The exact cause of the fire is unknown and no injuries were reported, officials said.

Winds were expected to increase overnight and continue for days, producing isolated gusts that could top 100 km/h in the mountains and foothills – including in areas that haven’t seen significant rain in months.