Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has issued an emotional statement over the "tragedy" that has befallen California, following the decision to relocate his side's playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams to Arizona due to raging wildfires.

Firefighters have been tirelessly battling the fires since they erupted on Tuesday, driven by powerful Santa Anna winds from northwest Los Angeles.

The fires have now spread across more than 3,000 acres due to the winds, causing damage to over 1,000 structures and claiming at least 10 lives, as reported by Los Angeles County Fire Department chief Anthony Marrone. In response to the escalating crisis, California governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency.

On Thursday, the NFL decided to shift Monday's wildcard showdown between the Rams and Vikings. The Rams, with a 10-7 record, had secured the No. 4 seed and were scheduled 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, who has personal connections to the affected area, spoke emotionally about the devastation to .

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.

"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 LA Kings and Lakers have already postponed their respective games due to the fires, with Lakers head coach J. J. Redick revealing his family has lost their home in Pacific Palisades. The Vikings are set to face the Rams at State Farm Stadium in the NFL wildcard round on Monday, January 13.