Fire has forced the San Diego Chargers to flee the city and the state.
General manager A.J. Smith said the club will fly to Phoenix Tuesday and practice at the Cardinals' facility Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
"And that's all we know," he said.
By that he means the club is not sure where it will play Sunday's scheduled game with Houston. It is supposed to be in San Diego, but that could change depending on what happens with the wildfires that are torching the county.
"I have no idea where the game will be played," Smith said.
Qualcomm Stadium, which is home to the Chargers, is the biggest evacuation center in the county, with people already beginning to assemble there.
Four years ago the Chargers moved a home game with Miami to Arizona because of wildfires. At that time one club employee -- business manager John Hinek -- lost a house to fire and, according to Smith, there were fewer than 10 evacuees employed by the club.
"Now it's 40-plus," he said, "and there could be more depending on what happens. The magnitude is larger, and it's affecting the Chargers more than it did years ago. It's unbelievable."
If necessary, the Chargers could move this weekend's game to Phoenix. The Cardinals not only aren't home, they have a bye this weekend.
The Chargers will stay in a Phoenix hotel, Smith said, thanks to arrangements made with the Cardinals. It was the Cardinals who arranged practices so they could share their facility with San Diego for the week.
"We've been through this before," said Smith, "but the difference is we're going to be there for a full week. It's affecting a lot of people, and it could affect more."
