Kamala Harris returns to LA to help fire victims and visit first responders
Vice President Kamala Harris, right, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff stand before greeting Vice President-elect JD Vance and Usha Vance at the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. Harris returns home to Los Angeles to help fire victims and visit first responders. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
ALTADENA – Former Vice President Kamala Harris praised firefighters during a visit to a Los Angeles County Fire Department station in Altadena Monday shortly after returning to Southern California from the presidential inauguration in Washington.
“As I said to these courageous and extraordinary firefighters, moments of crisis really do reveal the heroes among us,” Harris said.
“We went and visited World Central Kitchen. The volunteers who were there, some of them who lost their own homes, are there doing the work of taking care of perfect strangers. Who in the face of that stranger, they see a neighbor.”
Harris also said firefighters and volunteers understand the importance and validity of communal assistance.
“We’re all in this together,” Harris said. “Los Angeles is going to continue to be what Los Angeles is — a place that is strong and knows how to rebuild. I have, over the last two weeks, been a part of a lot of the work that has been about ensuring that Los Angeles will receive the federal support that it so rightly deserves.”
More residents returning to their homes in the Pacific Palisades area Monday, as containment of the deadly Palisades Fire increased from 59 percent to 61 percent ahead of another dangerous Santa Ana wind event that could bring isolated gusts as high as 100 mph.
Firefighters benefited over the weekend from a break in the weather, thanks to low clouds and good humidity levels.
But this week’s expected winds will create a renewed high risk for critical fire weather conditions and the rapid spread of any new fires.
Forecasters took the rare step of issuing a “particularly dangerous situation” warning for a large portion of Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to damaging Santa Ana winds and very low humidity.
Meanwhile, A vegetation fire near Pomerado Road and Ted Williams Parkway in Poway burned 3 acres Monday before being extinguished, prompting authorities to lift all evacuation warnings.
The fire was reported at 1:17 p.m., with Cal Fire supporting Poway Fire crews with two helicopters, two air tankers and an air attack airplane, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
No injuries or structural damage were reported. (With CNS report)
