Wildfires burning out of control in California have caused evacuations and destruction in the greater Los Angeles area over the past few days.
Sports teams have felt the impact as well, both emotionally and logistically. Lakers head coach JJ Redick lost his home in the Pacific Palasades to the fire, and the team’s game against the Hornets was postponed amid the fires.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr shared Thursday that his childhood home was destroyed in the fires. His family was able to evacuate safely, but the Golden State head coach sent his “thoughts and condolences” to everyone affected by the ongoing emergency.
Here’s what Kerr said about the impact of the wildfires in California.
Steve Kerr’s childhood home destroyed in Los Angeles wildfires
On Wednesday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Kerr’s 90-year-old mother, Ann, texted friends and family that their home burned in the Pacific Palisades fire after she safety evacuated.
The day prior, Kerr began his postgame press conference by discussing the wildfires, also sharing that his mother had to evacuate her home because of them.
“I want to send my thoughts and condolences to everybody in Los Angeles dealing with the fires,” Kerr said. “Everything I’m seeing and reading is just terrifying what’s happening down there, so just want to send thoughts to everyone who’s going through the devastation of the fire.”
Steve Kerr expressed his thoughts and condolences for those affected by the fires in the Los Angeles area.
(via @warriors) pic.twitter.com/Z3zB6YkxV7
— ESPN (@espn) January 8, 2025
On Thursday, Kerr confirmed that his childhood home, which his parents bought in 1969, was among the structures destroyed by the fires. He added that his mother is “safe and sound” and that he was just at the house around two weeks ago.
“That’s my hometown, and all my friends who are from there, pretty much they’ve all lost their homes, their family homes, childhood homes. Their whole high school’s gone, the town looks like it’s just been completely wiped out,” Kerr said. “It’s surreal and devastating.”
Steve Kerr confirms his childhood home in Pacific Palisades burned in the fire. He said he was there two weeks ago for dinner with his mother (who made it out safe). Here he is in detail on the devastation of the fire and the memories gone. pic.twitter.com/mvJuBwPo9g
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 9, 2025
