Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell offered an emotional statement on the “tragedy” affecting California after his playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams was moved to Arizona.

Firefighters have been battling to control the fires since they began on Tuesday, fueled by strong Santa Anna winds from northwest Los Angeles. The fires have grown to over 3,000 acres thanks to the winds, with more than 1,000 structures damaged and at least 10 dead, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department chief Anthony Marrone, while California governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency.

On Thursday, the NFL made the decision to move Monday’s wildcard showdown between the Rams and Vikings. The 10-7 Rams clinched the No. 4 seed and were set to host the 14-3 Vikings at SoFi Stadium, but the game was moved to a neutral venue – the Arizona Cardinals’ State Farm Stadium – due to the fires.

O’Connell has ties to the area affected and emotionally spoke of the devastation. Speaking to media including Mirror U.S. Sport at a roundtable, the 39-year-old said: “Southern California is near and dear to my heart. I’ve got so many relationships, not just with the Los Angeles Rams, but just people from growing up there that I know have been impacted. There are a couple friends of mine that did lose homes in the Palisades fire.

“Having lived it – there were some pretty significant fires right in our hometown, and then when I was at San Diego State my senior year, we had a game postponed for about 10 days, maybe even two weeks because of the fires and the smoke and things like that.

“For many people who watch the news and see the clips, it’s hard to probably imagine that this is a real thing. But for the folks in Southern California, it’s something that they’ve experienced before and it’s a tragedy.

Follow us on Xfor the best and latest in sports news

Kevin O'Connell spoke to media about the fires raging in Los Angeles and the moved playoff game

Kevin O’Connell spoke to media about the fires raging in Los Angeles and the moved playoff game

“My thoughts and my prayers have been with all of those folks and the first responders and just everybody impacted because something as simple as being evacuated from your home, forced to leave your home for an unknown amount of time is incredibly impactful. And then not knowing if your home and your belongings are going to be there when you get back is wildly significant and impactful. So that’s where my mind’s been at in regards to those who are actually experiencing that.”

O’Connell is confident his team will lock in and remain unaffected despite the last-second change of venue, adding: “We’re going to get on a plane and we’re going to go play a football game. It’s just where’s the plane going to land? And we found out yesterday like everybody else, we’re going to be heading to Phoenix to take on a really good football team.

“The old expression that you could play these games anywhere, anytime is being validated this week because so much is on the line. The mentality that your team has to have is you’ll play anywhere, anytime if you’re fortunate enough to get an opportunity, which we did earn. We’re going to go put our best foot forward and try to get a win.”

The fires have affected many in the region and disrupted local sports. Fears over the playoff game became apparent after the Los Angeles Kings postponed their NHL game against the Calgary Flames. The Los Angeles Lakers followed suit on Thursday by postponing their NBA game with the Charlotte Hornets, and Lakers head coach J.J. Redick has confirmed his family has evacuated and since lost their Pacific Palisades home to the wildfires.

The Vikings face the Rams at State Farm Stadium in the NFL wildcard round on Monday, Jan. 13.