The LA Fires have claimed as many as 24 lives and destroyed as much as 40,000 acres of land. A disaster that evacuated near-180,000 people had thousands chiming in with prayers and donations, including $1 million by the league and a donation drive by the Lakers. But on the episode of No Chill Gill, Gilbert Arenas reveals he had a rather opposing first reaction.
“I know this is wrong when I know this is wrong… I bought all the fire extinguishers… Was being selfish. I was staying by myself, so I bought all those out, and then I bought, like, at least 12 water hoses and all that,” Gil said.
He stated he was happy that the winds were moving away towards someplace else. Co-host Josiah Johnson added to this, stating all the people on this side of the valley were a little relieved. “Santa Ana winds and all those winds pushing it back towards kind of some of the stuff, the fires that already happened. So it was kind of cannibalizing,” Johnson said on the show.
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Notably, the Palisades fire, initially advancing east toward Interstate 405, was redirected by Santa Ana winds toward areas already burned, as per an article by CNN. Cal Fire Battalion Chief Brent Pascua explained that this natural shift helped limit the fire’s spread, saying, “It will blow this fire pretty much back onto itself.”
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In Encino, similar wind patterns had already proven beneficial, allowing firefighters to gain the upper hand. A panicked Gilbert Arenas, however, could not look elsewhere but himself. “I’m sitting there to cloud over my head… Trying to figure out what I’m going to take… I’m moving cars so I can keep all of them. And then when it was like, yeah, it’s blowing towards west, I’m like, yeah, f*ck them,” Arenas says on his show.
However, the NBA community has seen an immediate reaction to help from more than a few. The league itself has taken a step to further aid the relief measures for those affected by the wildfire.
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NBA makes notable contribution towards the relief funds for LA fire victims
In a remarkable show of support, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) have stepped up to help those affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. According to Pacers beat writer Scott Agness, the league has pledged $1 million in immediate aid to organizations like the World Central Kitchen, the American Red Cross, and others working on the ground to provide relief.
Yes, the $1 million donation is a modest effort compared to the staggering $135 billion in damages the city faces. But it serves as a powerful gesture of solidarity. This initiative joins other significant contributions, including a $5 million relief fund announced by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The NFL’s contribution, which includes donations from the Vikings, Texans, Rams, and Chargers, reflects a shared commitment to the community.
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And even individual efforts are making a difference. Lakers star Anthony Davis contributed $20,000 to a fundraiser for team videographer Rohan Ali, whose family lost their home in the fires. It’s a painful reminder of how personal this tragedy is for many. A fear that Gilbert Arenas had for himself too up until the recent updates.