On Friday, U.S. Soccer said the U.S. women’s national team’s training camp had been moved from Los Angeles to Miami because of wildfires that have devastated Southern California.
The camp of the Olympic champion from Paris will start three days later than planned and will last from January 17 to 23 at the Florida Blue Training Center in Ft. Lauderdale instead of Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson.
“The safety of our players and staff is always our top priority, and with wildfires still burning, many areas under a state of emergency, and air quality next week remaining unknown, we have made the decision to move camps,” said Matt Crocker, U.S. athletic director football team.
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Firefighters finally began to gain control of two major blazes on Los Angeles’ eastern and western slopes on Friday, as fierce winds that had fueled the blazes for days finally abated.
Since Tuesday, six simultaneous fires have devastated neighborhoods in Los Angeles County, killing at least 11 people and damaging or destroying 10,000 buildings.
On Friday, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams sent words of encouragement to Los Angeles.
“Team USA holds the city of Los Angeles, the future host of the Summer Games, in our hearts and thanks everyone who supports those affected.”
LA28 Olympic organizers said they have raised funds for people needing support in the wake of one of the worst natural disasters in California history.
“We are eternally grateful to the firefighters, first responders and everyday Angelenos who work around the clock to protect us from devastating wildfires,” LA28 said in a statement.
