When will Los Angeles stop burning? That is the concern equally widespread, like that of the wildfire raging in the area. But, looks like, not much positive news is going to come anytime soon. Firefighters across the Los Angeles region battled new wildfires that started in dry riverbeds and parched vegetation on Tuesday, as strong winds that created dangerous fire conditions over the past week swept again across Southern California.

Many of these new fires were brought under control, although two of the largest blazes, the Palisades and Eaton fires, were far from contained, burning through brush and the remains of scorched neighborhoods. Officials warned that it might take weeks, or even longer, to fully bring those under control. The Palisades fire was larger than 23,700 acres but only 17% contained on Tuesday. The Eaton fire, having  more than 14,000 acres in its grasp, was only 35 percent contained.

Meanwhile, in a grim development, officials on Tuesday evening announced a 25th death related to the fires, while almost two dozen people remain missing. More than 100,000 people have been displaced as of now. Under such disturbing circumstances, former NFL stars Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski had stepped up in solidarity as last week they put their Dudes on Dudes podcast on hold. “Our hearts are with the people of Los Angeles,” they had announced. Along the same line, they have made another announcement, once again standing in support of those affected in the fire.

The show must be postponed… for now

In an Instagram post, Edelman shared the unfortunate news: “Today’s episode of Games with Names has been postponed due to these wildfires in LA. The Nut House is currently in an evac zone, fire got close to it, so we had to evacuate.” As wildfires raged across the region, Edelman made sure to emphasize that everyone from the studio was safe. The podcast gives fans a sneak peek into their life post-football.

“It’s been WILD,” Edelman, who shared the news with fans on Instagram, emphasized the chaos, mentioning the loss of power and Wi-Fi that left them “off the grid” for some time, which, as he mentioned, was “NUTS.” Despite the setbacks, Edelman assured fans that he and his team were safe. He also took a moment to express his gratitude for the first responders working tirelessly in such dangerous conditions and called them “Bada–es.” 

“We gotta keep our minds and our prayers with everyone,” Edelman said in his post, a sentiment that speaks volumes about how these two heroes are always ready to lend a hand. The duo even shared links to several organizations working on the front lines of the crisis. Among them were the California Fire Foundation, which supports firefighter families, the LA Food Bank, and the big dog American Red Cross, all offering help to those displaced by the flames. Meanwhile, a number of theories have been put forward on how the wildfire started.

Anonymous officials involved with the investigation into the origin of the Palisades Fire told the Los Angeles Times that it appears to have human origins, though they noted the investigation is underway. They are also reportedly focusing on a “crime scene” area that is above most of Los Angeles in a neighborhood with rocky bluffs and popular hiking trails as the potential ignition site of the Palisades Fire, according to The New York Times.

Dominic Choi, the assistant Los Angeles police chief, said Monday that officials are not ruling out arson as the reason, but he added there is “no definitive determination that it is arson.” The theory has drawn attention after a spate of arson-related arrests, including one arrest of a man who was allegedly seen lighting a fire near the smaller Kenneth Fire last week. However, police later said they could not confirm any link between the arrestee and the fires. Dysfunctional power lines and electric infrastructure. Meanwhile, Some experts and residents believe the Palisades Fire may have been started by the remnants of a fire from New Year’s Day that began after fireworks were set off.

Even in the face of the encroaching flames, the Nut House, where Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski produce their podcast, is an oasis of imagination and solidarity — proof that there’s room to keep hoping and collaborating in a dark time in the champ’s words himself “Just remember tough times don’t remain tough.”

The story behind the Nut House

And the Nut House isn’t any studio — that’s after years of work and dedication on the part of its owner, Jimmy Nutt. A respected audio engineer, Nutt wanted The Nut House to be the sort of place where song and imagination were free. Artists and designers travel here for the great acoustics, vintage gear, and creative space. That’s where magic happens, and for Edelman and Gronkowski, that was where their off-field chemistry could develop beyond the game.

The Nut House isn’t a nerdy LA cafe but the studio Edelman and Gronkowski go to when recording their podcast. It’s right in the middle of LA, it’s a place that is now an icon of all artists. With its posh facilities and laid-back atmosphere, The Nut House has been a venue where celebrities have worked their projects out.

The wildfires have pushed the podcast out of session, but you know that community spirit is still in play. Edelman’s and Gronkowski’s requests to donate to causes that serve the less fortunate are evidence of this drive. It tells us that sometimes, in times of tragedy, you do the very best you can, offer help, and continue to push on like they’ve done on the field.

As Edelman concluded in his post, “We gotta keep our minds, and our prayers are with everyone.” In times of challenge, there’s power in shared strength—and with the Nut House still standing strong, it’s only a matter of time before Games with Names is back on track.