Wednesday’s NHL matchup between the Calgary Flames and the Los Angeles Kings in LA has been postponed as wildfires rage in the area.
Sportsnet’s Eric Francis says “sizeable” ash was falling around the Crypto.com area as reporters and players made their way inside.
According to Francis, masks were being handed out to those in the arena area.
“The smell of smoke inside the arena is palpable,” he wrote on X. “Emergency services are needed elsewhere and thousands have lost their homes.
“This is the right call.”
There are three major fires impacting the Los Angeles area as of Wednesday — the Palisades fire, west of LA, has burned more than 11 square kilometres, while the Eaton fire, north of Pasadena, has burned around 46 square kilometres. The smallest of the trio, the Hurst fire, in the San Fernando Valley, has scorched at least two square kilometres.
More than 70,000 residents of Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, and Altadena have fled their homes.
The fires are also impacting resources in the area, such as power; more than 400,000 customers were without power as of Wednesday, and another 440,000 customers are at risk of losing power.
The teams say a makeup date for the game will be announced as soon as it’s confirmed.
With files from The Associated Press
