Vice President Kamala Harris' Brentwood neighborhood is under threat again after the Palisades fire in Los Angeles County shifted on Friday night.
Newsweek has reached out to the White House via email for comment on Saturday.
Why It Matters
Wildfires have ravaged Southern California this past week and led to the deaths of 11 people, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The Palisades fire, which started Tuesday, has burned through 22,660 acres and is only 11 percent contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire). Two people were killed and three more were injured in the Palisades fire, according to officials. Meanwhile, over 5,000 structures have been destroyed in the Palisades fire, CAL Fire estimates, including several celebrity houses, like Paris Hilton's Malibu home.
What To Know
The Palisades fire spread east Friday night, causing a new evacuation order for much of the affluent Brentwood community.
Harris, along with several celebrities, including basketball star Lebron James and actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, live in the Brentwood area.
The vice president has a long history of public service in her home state of California. She previously served as the district attorney of San Francisco and the attorney general of California, before becoming a U.S. senator from California from 2017 to 2021.
Harris' press secretary Ernie Apreza said earlier this week that the vice president's home was put under an evacuation order on Tuesday. He said no one was at the residence when the evacuation order was placed.
"Last night, the Vice President's neighborhood in Los Angeles was put under an evacuation order," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday. "No one was in her home at the time. She and the Second Gentleman are praying for the safety of their fellow Californians, the heroic first responders, and Secret Service personnel."
What People Are Saying
Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement Wednesday, "I am urging residents in the affected areas to listen to local officials, remain vigilant, and evacuate immediately if told to do so...As a proud daughter of California, I know the damage that wildfires have on our neighbors and communities. I also know that the impact is often felt long after the fire is contained. As we respond and as Californians recover, I will ensure that our administration is in constant contact with state and local officials."
California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement Thursday, "President Biden and his Administration have been incredible partners in our ongoing fight against these unprecedented wildfires. In addition to more federal funding and critical reimbursement, the President has directed firefighting resources to add to the thousands of boots already on the ground. And thanks to the President's Major Disaster Declaration, Californians can begin applying for federal assistance to help them recover from these devastating fires."
What Happens Next
CAL Fire said in an update Saturday morning that north to northeast winds will slowly increase on Saturday, and that moderate to strong Santa Ana winds will likely return next week, "creating critical fire weather conditions."
English (US) ·