DETROIT — The house Steve Kerr grew up in is burned down. The high school he went to is gone. His childhood friends have lost their homes and their town is unrecognizable — mostly ash and ruins.
“It’s an idyllic place,” Kerr said. “It’s a beautiful town, sunsets every night. Just amazing memories. My dad taught at UCLA so that drive from Pacific Palisades down Sunset Boulevard to the campus at UCLA is one I’ve made a million times. So many great memories. Then to see the images of Sunset Boulevard and the Palisades — just shocking. Looks apocalyptic. Devastating.”
Just a couple weeks ago, when the Warriors were in town to play the Clippers, Kerr visited his mom, Ann, at the home he grew up in. They celebrated his 90th birthday there over the summer. But for the past day, he’s been on text chains and calls with his family after the devastating wildfires that remain uncontained ravaged the Pacific Palisades and other enclaves of Los Angeles.
“It’s hard to even fathom how Pacific Palisades rebuilds and how it becomes a thriving community again,” Kerr said. “It’s shocking.”
Ann evacuated and is safe and sound, Kerr said. Warriors video coordinator Everett Dayton is back home in the area with his family; Kerr said Dayton’s home is believed to be one of the few still standing. Player development coach Jacob Rubin is from Mandeville Canyon, another affected area. One of the fires progressed toward Brentwood, where Draymond Green has a home (his family is safe).
The fires are known to be the costliest in US history. At least six people have died, according to multiple news outlets, and more than 100,000 residents from a variety of Los Angeles County neighborhoods have evacuated.
“The town looks like it’s been just completely wiped out,” Kerr said. “Fortunately, almost everyone escaped. The pictures reminded me of Lahaina from a couple years ago. I’m so happy there wasn’t the loss of life the people in Hawaii experienced.”
