A series of devastating fires engulfed the Southern California region. The Palisades Fire, the largest among them, has burned over 17,000 acres, per the latest update from the Fire Department. A similar damage has been done by the Eaton Fire. So far, around 2,00,000 people have been asked to evacuate. The city of Los Angeles, home to many sports teams, has had life turned upside down in a matter of hours. Among the important institutions under threat of fire, one iconic location is close to the hearts and minds of college football fans.

We are talking about the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium of Los Angeles. After the Eaton Fire spread to the Pasadena region, the authorities issued evacuation orders for the entire area. That’s where the Rose Bowl stadium is also located. Just over a week ago, the venue hosted the Rose Bowl (also the quarterfinal of the college football playoffs) between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Oregon Ducks on January 1. The Buckeyes comfortably won the game (41-21) to book a place in the semis of the playoffs.

As per the latest information, a Level 2 evacuation warning (second-most severe) was issued for Pasadena. Level 2 means a “high probability of a need to evacuate.” According to National Public Radio, the Rose Bowl Stadium is not yet at high risk of getting burned by the fire. However, the Eaton Fires are destroying everything just a few miles from the stadium. We will update you if there is a change in the situation or if the authorities raise the risk levels.

The ‘iconic’ status of the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena is not merely because it is the host of the Rose Bowl games. In addition, it has hosted two FIFA World Cup Finals, five Super Bowls, gold medal matches for two Summer Olympics, and numerous concerts across its rich history. Built in 1922 as a horseshoe structure, the renovations in 1928 turned it into a bowl. However, the stadium didn’t host the Rose Bowl initially.

The first few editions of the iconic bowl game, “The Grandaddy of them all,” were played in the Tournament Park of Padena. However, after the stadium was built, it started hosting the Rose Bowl, beginning on January 1, 1923. At the same time, since the 1980s, the Rose Bowl stadium is also the home of the UCLA Bruins, who have also played there in the Rose Bowl (5 times).

Effects of LA Fires on Sports

The fires that started on Tuesday have already destroyed thousands of homes, businesses, and other buildings. As we mentioned already, LA is home to some iconic sporting teams, including football, basketball, and baseball. One particular building has been home to Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Lakers owner Jeanie Buss. The fire damaged the Palisades Charter High School- which has been used as a set for a host of Hollywood movies as well.

On the scheduling front, The LA Lakers were scheduled to play the Charlotte Hornets on January 9. The NBA has postponed that game due to the ongoing wildfires in the LA region. The family of Lakers’ head coach, JJ Redick, had to evacuate due to the fires. As per ESPN, Redick’s house was destroyed.

It is unclear whether the Wild Card round game between the LA Rams and Minnesota Vikings will be affected by the fires. The SoFi Stadium, set to host the game, is around 15 miles from the evacuation zone. In a statement, the NFL said that it has a contingency plan if the flames reach the stadium.