The Los Angeles Rams are set to host the Minnesota Vikings in Los Angeles on Monday night in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs, but extensive wildfires in northern Los Angeles could put that game in jeopardy.
Three different Wildfires raging across Los Angeles County have destroyed over a thousand homes, businesses, and other structures while leaving at least two people dead. It is one of the most destructive firestorms to hit the region in memory and the blazes are still not under control.
The fires have been spreading rapidly through the northern Los Angeles region aided by the strong Santa Ana winds. While the fires have not reached the downtown Los Angeles area, it still poses quite a concern for the NFL ahead of Monday’s playoff game.
And it sounds like the NFL is paying close attention as they continue to assess the situation.
“The NFL continues to closely monitor developments in the area and will remain in contact with both clubs and the NFLPA,” chief NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Pro Football Talk by email.
Even if the flames do not pose a direct risk to the stadium or anyone involved with the game, the air quality could pose a problem for both the players and anyone else involved with the game.
It does not seem likely or reasonable that the game would be delayed or postponed given that the winner will be set to play in the division round of the playoffs the following weekend, but it is possible that the NFL could opt to relocate the game to a different stadium.
If the league does decide to relocate the game, the closest options would include Phoenix and Las Vegas.
For now, however, it sounds like the game is set to go on as planned, though that could obviously change depending on how the situation unfolds.
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