Disturbing images have emerged from Los Angeles Chargers practice, where many players opted to wear masks amid dangerous air-quality levels as they prepared for their playoff opener in Houston on Saturday.
Of course, it wasn’t the masks that made the scene so shocking, but rather the brownish-yellow haze that hung in the air as the Palisades Fires continue to burn along the Pacific Coast. Backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke, defensive tackle Oтιтo Ogbonnia and offensive tackle Joe Alt were among the players seen working in the apocalyptic setting, which resembled a scene out of Terminator 2.
ESPN’s Kris Rhim and Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the LA Times were among several reporters to share the haunting pH๏τos of Thursday’s practice in Woodland Hills, a neighborhood located about 13 miles north of fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades but separated by the Santa Monica Mountains.
Coach Jim Harbaugh had the Chargers’ offensive and defensive units practice separately to limit their time on the field. The air quality at the team’s complex was 185 on Wednesday. Anything above 150 is considered unhealthy.
‘Abundant prayers to all those that have been affected by this tragedy,’ Harbaugh told the media Thursday while wearing an LAFD baseball hat. ‘Also, I’ve just been inspired greatly by the first responder, the firefighters and the residents that have pulled together and had each other’s back. That’s been tremendously inspiring.
‘So, even though we’ve been on-mission,’ he continued, ‘abundant prayers and thoughts to all that are in this fight. We see neighbors on top of houses helping fellow neighbors, it’s truly inspiring.’
QB Taylor Heinicke, DT Oтιтo Ogbonnia and T Joe Alt among players wearing masks today. Skies orange and some ashes flying around at practice pic.twitter.com/vV568jappn
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) January 9, 2025 
Smoke from the recent fires obscures the sun at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The Rams will host the Minnesota Vikings at the stadium in a Wild Card round playoff matchup on Monday
Jim Harbaugh addressed the media on Thursday while wearing a LAFD baseball hat
our hearts are with @LAFD and our community pic.twitter.com/ykPTSV73Xj
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 9, 2025 Read More Wife of LA Rams QB Matthew Stafford shares heartbreaking message amid ‘terrifying’ wildfires 
Three major fires were burning in areas of the vast Los Angeles metroplex following two days of extraordinary winds. A major threat broke out Wednesday evening in the Hollywood Hills, close to the heart of the entertainment industry, but had been contained by Thursday morning.
Roughly 180,000 people are under evacuation orders, and the fires have consumed about 45 square miles (117 square kilometers) — roughly the size of San Francisco. The Palisades Fire is already the most destructive in Los Angeles’ history.
The Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers both train in areas not threatened by fires, but both teams are monitoring the air quality and its potential impact on their workouts.
The Chargers changed their practice schedule Wednesday to minimize their players’ outdoor time in coastal El Segundo. The Chargers are leaving after practice on Thursday for Houston and their AFC wild-card matchup against the Texans on Saturday.
Meanwhile the Rams sent out a statement to season-ticket holders and fans Thursday morning reiterating that Monday night’s NFC wild-card round postseason game against the Minnesota Vikings remains set to be played as scheduled Monday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
The NFL said Wednesday evening if the game had to be moved, it would take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the home of the Arizona Cardinals.
In 2003, the league moved a Monday night regular-season game between the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers to Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, due to wildfires.
