UN secretary-general António Guterres has called for 2,500 children to be immediately evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment after meeting with US doctors who said the children were at imminent risk of death in the coming weeks.
The four doctors had all volunteered in Gaza during the 15-month-long war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas that has devastated the territory of more than 2 million people and its healthcare system.
Guterres said he was “deeply moved” by his meeting with the American doctors on Thursday. “2,500 children must be immediately evacuated with the guarantee that they will be able to return to their families and communities,” Guterres posted on social media after the meeting.
Just days before a ceasefire began on 19 January, the World Health Organization said more than 12,000 patients were waiting for medical evacuations and it had hoped they could be ramped up during the truce.
Among those patients urgently needing treatment are 2,500 children, said Feroze Sidhwa, a California trauma surgeon who worked in Gaza from 25 March to 8 April last year.
“There’s about 2,500 children who are at imminent risk of death in the next few weeks. Some are dying right now. Some will die tomorrow. Some will die the next day,” Sidhwa told reporters after meeting with Guterres.
“Of those 2,500 kids, the vast majority need very simple things done,” he said, citing the case of a 3-year-old boy who suffered burns to his arm. The burns had healed, but the scar tissue was slowly cutting off blood flow, leaving him at risk of amputation, said Sidhwa.
Ayesha Khan, an emergency doctor at Stanford university hospital, worked in Gaza from the end of November until 1 January. She spoke about many children with amputations, who had no prosthetics or rehabilitation.
She held up a photo of two young sisters with amputations, who were sharing a wheelchair. They were orphaned in the attack that injured them and Khan said: “Their only chance for survival is to be medically evacuated.”
“Unfortunately, the current security restrictions don’t allow for children to travel with more than one caregiver,” she said. “Their caregiver is their aunt, who has a baby that she is breastfeeding.”
“So even though we were able to, with great difficulty, get evacuation set up for them, they won’t let the aunt take her baby with her. So the aunt has to choose between the baby she’s breastfeeding and the lives of her two nieces.”
Cogat, the Israeli defence agency that liaises with the Palestinians, did not respond to a request for comment on the demand for medical evacuation of 2,500 children by Guterres and the doctors he met. Israel’s mission to the UN also did not respond to a request for comment.
The doctors said they are advocating for a centralised process for medical evacuations with clear guidelines.
“Under this ceasefire agreement, there is supposed to be a mechanism in place for medical evacuations. We’ve still not seen that process spelled out,” said Thaer Ahmad, an emergency room doctor from Chicago, who worked in Gaza in January 2024.
Khan said there was no process in place to get the children out, adding: “And will they be allowed to return? There is some discussion right now of the Rafah border opening only for exits, but it’s exit without right to return.”
At the start of this month, before the ceasefire, the WHO said 5,383 patients had been evacuated with its support since the war began in October 2023, most of those in the first seven months before the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza was closed.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the urgent evacuation of 2,500 children from Gaza as doctors warn of the “imminent risk” of death in the war-torn region. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has led to a dire humanitarian crisis, with children bearing the brunt of the violence.
Guterres emphasized the need for the immediate evacuation of these children to ensure their safety and well-being. He condemned the escalating violence in Gaza and reiterated the importance of protecting civilians, especially children, during times of conflict.
Doctors on the ground in Gaza have issued warnings of the dire situation faced by children in the region, with reports of severe injuries, trauma, and a lack of access to essential medical care. The UN chief’s call for evacuation comes as a critical response to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Gaza.
As the Israel-Gaza war continues to escalate, it is imperative that immediate action is taken to protect the lives of innocent children caught in the crossfire. The international community must come together to ensure the safe evacuation of these vulnerable children and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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Georgetown officials have evacuated 388 people and closed several roads near the downtown area due to a gas leak on Wednesday morning.
The evacuations started at 9:45 a.m., according to the city of Georgetown.
The roads are expected to remain closed for several hours while the leak is repaired, according to the Georgetown Fire Department. The leak was discovered in a 4-inch gas main at Main Street and University Avenue, according to Atmos Energy.
Firefighters evacuated people between 10th and 15th streets and Scenic and Church streets on Wednesday morning, the Georgetown Fire Department said. The roads that are closed include Texas 29 from Austin Avenue to Church Street and portions of Austin Avenue.
Further details were not yet available. Anyone who smells gas is asked to call Atmos Energy at (866)-322-8667.
Gas Leak in Georgetown Prompts Evacuation of 388 Residents and Road Closures
A gas leak in Georgetown has led to the evacuation of 388 people and the closure of several roads in the area. The leak was reported earlier today, and emergency crews are currently on the scene working to contain the leak and ensure the safety of residents.
Residents in the affected area have been evacuated as a precautionary measure, and road closures have been put in place to prevent further exposure to the gas leak. Authorities are urging residents to stay away from the area and follow instructions from emergency personnel.
The cause of the gas leak is still under investigation, and it is unclear how long the evacuation and road closures will remain in place. We will provide updates as more information becomes available. Stay safe, Georgetown!
Size: 5,389 acres, 10% contained, moderate rate of spread
Evacuation centers: Parking lot at Edwards Cinema, 2951 Jamacha Road, El Cajon, 92019 & Southwestern College, 900 Otay Lakes Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91910.
Road closures: Alta Road is closed to traffic just south of Otay Mesa Road; Otay Lakes Road closed from Wueste to CA-94 Campo Road
School closures: Chula Vista Elementary School District and the Sweetwater Union High School District closes some schools
Advisories: A smoke advisory is in effect for Otay Mesa and the surrounding areas
A large vegetation fire began burning Thursday afternoon on a hilltop near the U.S.-Mexico border. As night fell, the flames cast an eerie glow across Otay Mountain.
At a little before 2:30 p.m., Cal Fire San Diego tweeted out that the border fire had already burned 20 acres and had a “dangerous rate of spread.” However, firefighters had downgraded the rate of spread to moderate, meaning that their efforts were beginning to bear fruit.
Flames from the fire could be seen racing up a hillside on Otay Mountain, near the Otay Mountain Truck Trail.
By 8:30 p.m., the fire had spread to 600 acres, then exploded overnight, growing to 5,389 acres by 11 a.m., with just 10% containment.
Otay Mountain Fire Threatens US-Mexico Border; Residents Urged to Evacuate – NBC 7 San Diego
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Otay Mountain fire, US-Mexico border, evacuation warnings, evacuation orders, NBC 7 San Diego, wildfire updates, Southern California fires, emergency alerts, San Diego County fire, public safety notices
PHOENIX – Officials with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office say a brush fire has prompted an evacuation in one community within the county.
On their Facebook page, officials said the southwest region of Queen Valley has been placed under a “Go” status, meaning they need to evacuate. Meanwhile, the north and west regions of Queen Valley are currently under a “Ready” status, meaning they need to prepare now for a potential evacuation.
PCSO said the evacuation center is at the Queen Valley Community Center.
Queen Valley is a community located along US 60, located to the east of the greater Phoenix area.
‘Ready’ and ‘Go’ Status: What do they mean?
According to the Arizona Emergency Information Network’s website, ‘Ready’ and “Go’ status are part of a nationwide program called ‘Ready, Set, Go.’
The program, per AZEIN’s website, is adopted by Arizona’s 15 county sheriffs, and the program educates residents about proactive measures to take before emergencies, and what to do when communities are threatened.
Dig deeper:
When a ‘Ready’ status is active for a certain area, it means people should be aware of the hazards that can threaten their community, and do the following:
Take steps now to prepare for seasonal threats
Register with their county/tribal emergency notification system
Connect with their local emergency management office, sheriff’s office and public health department on social media
Make a family evacuation and communication plan that includes family phone numbers, out-of-town contacts and family meeting locations. Keep in mind physical distancing recommendations, wearing face coverings or other public health recommendations
Build an emergency go kit with enough food, water and necessary supplies for at least 72 hours. Include supplies to help keep you and your family healthy, such as face coverings, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Start with the five P’s; people and pet supplies, prescriptions, papers, personal needs and priceless items
Check with their neighbors, family, friends and elders through video chats or phone calls to ensure they are ready
Keep up to date on local news, weather watches, weather warnings and public health recommendations
When a ‘Set’ status is active, it means people affected should know there is significant danger in their area. They also should:
Consider voluntarily relocating to a shelter or with family/friends outside the affected area.
Grab their emergency go kit.
Keep in mind unique needs for their family, or special equipment for pets and livestock.
Stay aware of the latest news and information from public safety and public health officials.
When a ‘Go’ status is active, it means the danger in the affected areas are imminent and life threatening, and people should:
Evacuate immediately to a shelter, or stay with family/friends outside of the affected area.
Follow instructions from emergency personnel, stay on designated evacuation routes and avoid closed areas.
The website also notes that people who choose to ignore a ‘Go’ statue “must understand emergency services may not be able to assist you further.”
This story is developing. Please check back for further updates.
Residents in Pinal County are being urged to evacuate as a fast-moving brush fire threatens homes and structures in the area. The fire, which started earlier this afternoon, has already consumed several acres of land and continues to spread rapidly.
Authorities are working to contain the fire, but are asking residents to evacuate as a precaution. Evacuation orders have been issued for several neighborhoods in the affected area.
Firefighters are on the scene battling the blaze, but high winds and dry conditions are making it difficult to control. Residents are being advised to stay updated on the situation and follow evacuation orders as necessary.
We will continue to provide updates on the situation as more information becomes available. Stay safe, Pinal County residents.
Fire crews are battling a swiftly growing blaze dubbed the Hughes Fire burning near the town of Castaic, a suburb in the foothills and mountains of northern Los Angeles County. Residents in the immediate vicinity of Castaic Lake are under mandatory evacuations, according to the LA County Fire Department.
As of 12:30 p.m., about 90 minutes after it started, the fire had burned more than 3,400 acres, according to Cal Fire. The fire began at 10:53 a.m. and burned 500 acres in one hour, Cal Fire said. That’s equivalent to a spread rate of about a football field burned every 10 seconds.
Images showed a large plume of smoke moving west toward Interstate 5 as flames burned near Castaic Lake in the grassy hills just north of Santa Clarita.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
The Hughes Fire has sparked in northern Los Angeles County, prompting authorities to issue mandatory evacuation orders for residents in the affected areas. The fire, which has grown rapidly in size, is threatening homes and infrastructure in the region.
Residents are urged to evacuate immediately and follow all instructions from emergency personnel. It is important to prioritize your safety and the safety of your loved ones during this time.
Please stay tuned to local news outlets and official sources for updates on the fire and evacuation orders. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the Hughes Fire, and we hope for a swift containment and resolution to the situation. Stay safe, everyone.
SAN DIEGO — Multiple wildfires broke out in San Diego County on Tuesday, prompting evacuation orders, school closures and power shutoffs, while officials in Los Angeles remained on high alert amid strong winds and relentlessly dry conditions.
Crews responded to three small brush fires overnight in northern San Diego County. The Lilac Fire, the largest of the blazes, grew to 85 acres and triggered evacuations in Bonsall, a small community about 45 minutes north of San Diego. The fire has displaced 86 residents and damaged two structures, officials said.
The Lilac Fire was 50% contained by 6 p.m. PST, according to local authorities and Cal Fire. Earlier Tuesday, the North County Fire Protection District said more than 200 firefighters were assigned to the incident.
The Pala Fire, north of the community of Pala Mesa, burned 17 acres of land and initially triggered evacuation orders that have since been lifted, officials said. Firefighters managed to stop the forward progress of the blaze, which was fully contained in the afternoon.
Another blaze, dubbed the Riverview Fire, burned only one acre of land before firefighters contained it. A fourth blaze — called the Friars Fire — erupted at around noon Tuesday near homes and businesses in the neighborhood of Mission Valley, about five miles north of downtown San Diego.
San Diego Fire-Rescue said in an update that the fire had burned between 15 to 20 acres and was “confined,” adding that fire crews will continue to “mop up of hot spots” into the night. Evacuation orders and warnings in the area were also lifted.
The origins of the blazes remain unknown.
The fires erupted as hurricane-force winds blew across Southern California through the night and early morning, according to preliminary reports from the National Weather Service. A 102-mph wind gust was recorded in the San Diego mountains around 10 p.m. Monday.
As of Tuesday, afternoon, more than 64,000 homes and businesses were without power across the Ventura, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside counties, according to PowerOutage.us.
Firefighters make gains on Lilac Fire in San Diego County
Authorities in San Diego County have gained a foothold in the battle against the Lilac Fire that triggered a flurry of evacuations, power outages, and school closures on Tuesday.
“Fire crew will continue to build containment lines and extinguish hotspots within the fire’s perimeter,” Cal Fire said in an update Tuesday afternoon. Officials said by around 10 a.m. its forward rate of spread had been stopped.
In an update Tuesday night, San Diego County Sheriff’s Office that all evacuations had been lifted but some roadways remained closed as crews continued “to work in the area to mitigate the hazards and strengthen control lines.”
“Dust and noise will be present throughout the day and night,” the sheriff’s office added. “Smoke may be seen from areas where the fire is still burning, but there is no threat to the public.”
San Diego County school closures amid wildfires
Multiple school districts closed on Tuesday citing “high winds, fire danger, and power outages.” Below is a list of the school districts that have shuttered, according to the San Diego County Office of Education.
Bonsall Unified School District
Julian Union Elementary School District
Julian Union High School District
Mountain Empire Unified School District
Spencer Valley School District
Warner Unified School District
The county office of education later noted that Warner Unified School District and Mountain Empire Unified School District will remain closed on Wednesday due to power outages.
Mt. Woodson Elementary in Ramona Unified School District, Lakeside Farms Elementary, and DREAM Academy in Lakeside Union School District were also closed on Tuesday, the county office of education said. Those schools are located east of San Diego.
Due to the Friars Fire, the county office of education’s main campus and the Linda Vista Innovation Center closed on Tuesday but will reopen for “regular business” on Wednesday.
Red flag warnings active across Southern California as blazes rage
Red flag warnings stretched down the coast of Southern California on Tuesday as weather officials warned of strong wind gusts that could rapidly spread fires and knock out power to homes and businesses. The dangerous fire weather is expected to linger until at least midweek because of the winds and low humidity, the weather service said.
Forecasters said Santa Ana winds would continue blowing across Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Tuesday afternoon. The warnings urged residents to stay vigilant amid the strong winds and as humidity levels plummet to single digits.
In San Diego County, forecasters warned of winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. In the mountains, winds could reach 80 to 90 mph, the weather service added.
“If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior,” a red flag warning from the weather service in San Diego said.
Later Tuesday, the weather service extended its red flag warning for Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Diego counties through Thursday. The weather service in Los Angeles warned that an increase in winds is expected Thursday morning.
Brush fire ignites in riverbed in Riverside County
Firefighters are battling a brush fire that erupted in a riverbed near homes in Jurupa Valley. The Clay Fire started at around 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to Cal Fire.
By 8:30 p.m., the blaze grew to nearly 40 acres and evacuation warnings were issued for nearby neighborhoods, Cal Fire said. Crews were on the ground working on containment lines while a night-flying helicopter was dropping water on hot spots, according to Cal Fire.
“Firefighters are on-scene of vegetation burning in the river bottom,” Cal Fire said in its latest incident report. “The fuel is heavy and dense, and the fire is burning at a slow rate of spread.”
Latest on the Palisades and Eaton fires
The Palisades Fire was at 23,713 acres with 65% containment Tuesday evening, according to Cal Fire. The Eaton Fire had burned 14,021 acres and was at 89% containment.
“Firefighters are making steady progress, and officials are reassessing evacuation orders to ensure safe returns,” read a Tuesday report on the Palisades Fire. “Crews are working with utility providers to repair infrastructure and address hazards like fallen trees and downed power lines. The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions.”
Cal Fire said firefighters were focusing on hot spots within the perimeter of the Eaton Fire as officials lifted evacuation orders in phases.
Additionally, resources were staged in the city of La Cañada, west of the blaze, “to respond to any new fire starts or fire activity within the current footprint,” according to an operational update from Cal Fire.
At least 28 people have been killed in the greater Los Angeles area fires, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said in an update Tuesday afternoon. At least 17 people died in the Eaton Fire while another 11 died in the Palisades Fire.
On Monday, Los Angeles fire crews quickly extinguished a small brush fire near Griffith Observatory. The Los Angeles Police Department said it took into custody a man suspected of causing the fire.
Altadena residents impacted by Eaton Fire allowed to go back home
All residents in Altadena are now being allowed to return to their homes while firefighters make progress with the Eaton Fire. Cal Fire said firefighters continue to extinguish hot spots within the perimeter of the blaze.
While residents can return to their homes, some areas in the unincorporated community north of Pasadena are opened only to people with proof of residence such as a driver’s license or a utility bill with their address, Los Angeles County said in a post on X.
Curfews remain in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Cal Fire said.
How powerful are the winds in Southern California?
Here are the highest wind gusts recorded across Southern California through Tuesday afternoon, according to preliminary reports from the National Weather Service.
Sill Hill, San Diego County – 102 mph
Hauser Mountain, San Diego County — 88 mph
Banning, Riverside County – 83 mph
Keen Ridge, Riverside County – 81 mph
Chino Hills, Orange County – 71 mph
California State University, San Bernardino – 60 mph
(This story has been updated to add information.)
Contributing: Dave Mason, Ventura County Star
Wildfires Break Out Near San Diego, Triggering Evacuation Orders
Residents near San Diego are being urged to evacuate as wildfires break out in the area. The fires have spread rapidly, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, prompting officials to issue evacuation orders for several communities.
Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the flames, but the unpredictable nature of wildfires makes it a challenging task. Emergency responders are urging residents to heed evacuation orders and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
The wildfires serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of wildfires in California, especially during the hot and dry summer months. It is crucial for residents to stay informed, follow evacuation orders, and have a plan in place in case of emergencies.
Our thoughts are with the residents and firefighters affected by the wildfires near San Diego. Stay safe and stay informed.
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Wildfires, San Diego wildfires, evacuation orders, California wildfires, wildfire news, emergency evacuation, San Diego news, natural disasters, fire outbreak, wildfire updates, disaster response, San Diego emergency, fire evacuation orders, breaking news wildfires
UPDATE: Immediate Evacuation Orders have been issued for two zones west of the I15 near Lilac Rd. Homes are in danger. NORTH OF West Lilac Road, SOUTH OF Mountain Vista Road, Sd Aqueduct Service Road (Private) EAST OF Leprechaun Lane, Mountain View Road, West Lilac Road WEST OF Avocado Highway
The Evacuation Center is located at Castle Creek Country Club, 8797 Castle Creek Dr., Escondido, CA 92026
Two fires threaten homes near Pala Mesa and Lilac Rd.
Two separate fires were reported after midnight this morning, on Tuesday, Jan 21, 2025. The first one was between the I-15 southbound and Old 395 near Stewart Canyon. Several units were dispatched immediately. Another fire cropped up south of the Lilac Bridge, also between the I15 southbound freeway lanes and Old Hwy 395. Pala Mesa appears to be threatened, according to VIllage News photographer Brian Briggs. The Lilac Rd area fire is also threatening homes and there are evacuations being ordered immediately.
This is an early version story. More video and photos to follow.
Some residents driving by the area catch the fire on video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZajXd130do
Immediate Evacuation orders issued for Lilac Fire in Bonsall
Residents in Bonsall are being urged to evacuate immediately as the Lilac Fire continues to spread rapidly. The fire, which has already burned thousands of acres, is threatening homes and lives in the area.
Authorities have issued mandatory evacuation orders for residents in the path of the fire, urging them to leave their homes and seek safety as soon as possible. Evacuation centers have been set up to provide shelter for those affected by the fire.
Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the blaze, but strong winds and dry conditions are making their efforts challenging. Residents are advised to stay informed and follow evacuation orders to ensure their safety.
Our thoughts are with the residents of Bonsall and the firefighters battling the Lilac Fire. Stay safe and heed evacuation orders to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Firefighters are working to contain a pair of brush fires that broke out along the I-15 Freeway in northern San Diego County early Tuesday morning.
The first blaze, called the Pala Fire, was reported at around 12:30 a.m. near the junction of I-15 and SR-76, according to the Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire Department.
“The fire is approximately 5 acres in size with a rapid rate of spread and structures threatened,” firefighters said in a post on X.
About 30 minutes later, crews also reported a second fire, farther south on I-15 near Old Highway 395 and Lilac Road in the Bonsall area, near W. Lilac Road, said a separate post.
That fire, which has been dubbed the Lilac Fire, is said to be about three acres in size and burning at a moderate rate with additional structures threatened.
Evacuation orders have been issued for the second fire, impacting people living in the SDC-0288 and SDC-0289 zones. More information can be found here.
An evacuation reception center was established at the Castle Creek Country Club on 8797 Circle R Drive in Escondido, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
The cause of the fires are not yet known, but most of Southern California remains under red flag warnings due to extremely strong winds and an excessively dry climate, which National Weather Service officials say increased the risk for fire danger.
Dean Fioresi is a web producer for CBS Los Angeles. He covers breaking news throughout Southern California. When he’s not writing about local events, he enjoys focusing on sports and entertainment.
Two brush fires are currently burning along Interstate 15 in northern San Diego County, prompting evacuation orders for nearby residents. The fires, dubbed the North Fire and the South Fire, have quickly spread due to strong winds and dry conditions in the area.
Authorities are urging residents in the affected areas to evacuate immediately and seek shelter at designated evacuation centers. The fires have already caused road closures and traffic delays along I-15, so motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.
Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the blazes and protect homes and structures in the vicinity. The cause of the fires is still under investigation.
Please stay tuned to local news outlets and official emergency alerts for the latest updates on the situation. Our thoughts are with those affected by these fires, and we hope for a swift and safe resolution to the situation.
Shortly after Pam Shriver woke up Thursday at the Marina del Rey DoubleTree, where she has been staying the past week since fleeing the Pacific Palisades fire in Los Angeles, she realized her son’s car, containing her collection of Grand Slam trophies, had been stolen.
Shriver spent the day trying to deal with that unfortunate event while sending messages to Donna Vekic, the top Croatian tennis player she helps coach. Vekic, the No. 18 seed at the Australian Open, was preparing for her third-round match in Melbourne, 7,000 miles away.
By Thursday evening she was attending a virtual school board meeting on one screen while watching and intermittently praying during Vekic’s three-set nail-biter against No. 12 seed Diana Shnaider.
Someone might have been listening. Vekic prevailed 7-6(4), 6-7(3), 7-5. In the meantime, one of Shriver’s sons called to let her know that she had packed her five Wimbledon doubles trophies in a racket bag that had ended up in a different car to her son George’s Dodge Durango, which was stolen.
The Los Angeles Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“It’s so crazy,” she said, in a phone interview from Los Angeles after Vekic’s match. “I’m not religious but I felt like I needed one.”
Shriver said she’d lost track of where her family had packed away the belongings they gathered as the fires crept closer to the peak of Mandeville Canyon, about a mile from her home. The car that was stolen held 11 trophies from the U.S. French and Australian Opens, but not those five from Wimbledon.
Shriver, 62, stayed behind in Los Angeles as Vekic traveled to Melbourne after arranging accommodation for her support staff, friends and pets at the Marina del Rey hotel.
Vekic, who reached last year’s Wimbledon semifinal with Shriver in her box, drew a heart symbol and wrote “LA” on a camera lens after her first-round win at the Australian Open.
“It’s a very difficult situation for her. She’s home in L.A. Her house is OK for now, but so many have lost everything, and it’s a horrible situation,” Vekic said of Shriver in her news conference.
Shriver won 22 Grand Slam doubles titles in total, 21 in women’s doubles and one in mixed doubles. She and partner Martina Navratilova are the only women’s doubles pair to win all four majors in a calendar year, and Shriver won Olympic gold in women’s doubles for the U.S. at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, partnering Zina Garrison.
Required reading
(Photo: Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)
Today, tennis legend Pam Shriver faced a devastating loss as her collection of Grand Slam trophies were stolen during her evacuation from the raging wildfires in Los Angeles. Shriver, a former world No. 3 and winner of 21 Grand Slam doubles titles, had to quickly flee her home with only the clothes on her back as the flames drew closer.
The trophies, which represented decades of hard work and dedication to the sport, were priceless to Shriver. She had hoped to one day pass them down to her children and grandchildren as a reminder of her illustrious career.
Shriver is heartbroken by the theft and is pleading for their safe return. She is offering a reward for anyone who has information leading to the recovery of her treasured trophies.
As the wildfires continue to ravage the area, Shriver is focusing on the safety of her family and community, but the loss of her trophies has added another layer of pain to an already difficult situation. She is grateful for the outpouring of support from fans and fellow players, and hopes that the person responsible for the theft will have a change of heart and return the trophies to their rightful owner.
Tennis Hall of Famer Pam Shriver, one of the greatest doubles players in history, said Thursday that a car she was using to temporarily store “most” of her grand slam trophies was stolen.
Shriver was at the time staying in a hotel in Marina Del Rey after she evacuated her home because of the Los Angeles-area wildfires.
“My son & I are at a police station reporting our car was stolen from the hotel parking lot we evacuated to when fires started,” Shriver said in a post on X on Thursday. “This was the car that had most of my major trophies being stored until we could safely move back home.”
CNN has reached out to local police for comment.
Shriver is a commentator for ESPN and Tennis Channel as well as the coach of Donna Vekić. According to ESPN, Shriver said a Dodge Durango Hellcat had all five of her US Open trophies, all five of her French Open trophies and one Australian Open trophy. She told ESPN she switched hotels after the incident.
Shriver said to ESPN she discovered the vehicle missing around 7:30 a.m. local time Thursday from the Marina Del Rey DoubleTree, where her family was staying after evacuating because of the Pacific Palisades fire.
“Now, my family’s a victim of a crime, too,” Shriver said to ESPN. “It’s really sad on so many levels that, when people are at their lowest and in their most difficult times, people are doing things like this.”
According to ESPN, her Brentwood home is still standing and that she is waiting for heating and power to be restored.
Shriver was supposed to be at the Australian Open to coach Vekić, the top women’s player out of Croatia who is ranked No. 19 in the world. Instead, she’s been coaching the tournament’s 18th seed from afar, opting to remain in Los Angeles.
In a nearly a three-hour match Friday in Melbourne, Vekić defeated No. 12 seed Diana Shnaider 7-6 (4), 6-7 (3), 7-5 to advance to the round of 16. She’ll next face No. 27 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia.
Shriver won 21 grand slam women’s doubles titles in her storied career – 20 of those coming with another tennis great, Martina Navratilova – and one mixed doubles grand slam title.
Shriver won seven Australian Open titles, five Wimbledon titles, five US Open titles and four French Open titles in women’s doubles. She won a French Open mixed doubles title in 1987 with Spain’s Emilio Sánchez.
In 1984, Shriver and Navratilova won the calendar grand slam, winning all four women’s doubles major titles that year.
Shriver was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2002.
Tennis legend Pam Shriver revealed in a recent interview that ‘most’ of her grand slam trophies were stolen while she was staying at a hotel during a wildfire evacuation. Shriver, who is a former professional tennis player and winner of 21 grand slam titles, expressed her devastation at the loss of her cherished trophies.
The theft occurred while Shriver was forced to evacuate her home due to a nearby wildfire. She had placed her trophies in a safe at the hotel where she was staying, but upon her return, she discovered that ‘most’ of them were missing. Shriver did not specify which trophies were stolen or how many exactly were taken.
In the interview, Shriver expressed her sadness and frustration at the loss of the trophies, which represented years of hard work and dedication to her tennis career. She also appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the recovery of the stolen trophies.
Fans and fellow athletes have since expressed their support for Shriver and offered their condolences for the loss of her prized possessions. Many have called for the safe return of the trophies and for those responsible for the theft to be held accountable.
Despite the setback, Shriver remains hopeful that her trophies will be recovered and is determined to move forward and continue to cherish the memories of her successful tennis career.
