Jan 23, 2025 Story by: Publisher
On her first trip back to California after leaving office, former Vice President Kamala Harris visited Altadena on Monday, where she engaged with volunteers and firefighters involved in the response to the Eaton fire.
Shortly after attending President Trump’s inauguration, Harris and former second gentleman Doug Emhoff touched down at Burbank Airport and headed to a former auto repair shop in Altadena.
The couple met with volunteers from World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit founded by chef José Andrés, which has been providing free meals to communities in Altadena and Pacific Palisades. Harris and Emhoff also joined in meal distribution during the dinner rush.
“The volunteers who were there, some of them who lost their own homes, are there doing the work of taking care of perfect strangers,” Harris remarked. “These are folks who understand the strength and the value of community.”
Harris’ visit coincided with Los Angeles County lifting all mandatory evacuation orders in Altadena. Officials also updated the count of structures affected by the blaze, reporting 9,418 buildings destroyed and 1,069 damaged.
Among those impacted was Ann, a 72-year-old Pasadena resident, who stopped by the World Central Kitchen site to collect dinner for herself. To her astonishment, the person handing her the meal — a beef and rice dish accompanied by an orange and utensils — was Kamala Harris herself.
Placing her meal bag on the asphalt outside, Ann immediately called her sister. “This is too fantastic,” she exclaimed. “Kamala Harris is serving the food! It’s 5:15. Maybe if you hurry, you can get over here!” she added in a voicemail message.
Harris and Emhoff later visited Los Angeles County Fire Station 12 on Lincoln Avenue to meet with firefighters who had been on duty when the Eaton fire broke out on Jan. 7.
“Moments of crisis really do reveal the heroes among us,” Harris said, acknowledging the immense sacrifices of the first responders. She noted that at least a dozen firefighters had lost their homes during the Eaton and Palisades fires.
“California firefighters, time and time again, prove themselves to be the best at the kind of work that is about dealing with these moments of unprecedented crisis and doing it with extraordinary courage and sacrifice,” Harris said.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, one of the firefighters who spoke with Harris, expressed gratitude for the federal assistance approved by President Biden before leaving office.
“That agreement will cover 100% of the cost of California’s fire management and debris removal for the next six months, an increase from the typical federal share of 75%,” Marrone explained. Gov. Gavin Newsom had requested the additional funding after meeting with Biden in Los Angeles the day after the fires ignited.
“It was really a touching moment for me because the federal government is going to help this area rebuild,” Marrone said. “I thank them for that.” Source: Los Angeles Times
