Former Vice President Kamala Harris visited Pacific Palisades on Thursday to survey the aftermath of last month’s devastating wildfires and meet with local officials. This marked her first visit to the neighborhood since the fires and one of her rare public appearances since leaving office.
Walking along El Medio Avenue, where many homes had been reduced to rubble with only chimneys standing, Harris observed the extensive damage caused by the Palisades fire, according to a report in The New York Times. The wildfire scorched over 23,000 acres and destroyed more than 6,000 structures, including homes and businesses in the Los Angeles neighborhood. She later continued toward Asilomar View Park, which overlooks the remnants of a mobile home park that was completely consumed by the flames.
“You can smell the smoke that was here,” Ms. Harris said. “You can feel the toxicity, frankly, of the environment. You can feel the energy of all of the folks who are still here on the ground doing the work of trying to make this area safe, and then, at some point, provide a pathway to rebuild them.”
Harris also stopped by the Westwood Recreation Center, which has been operating as an emergency shelter and relief hub. When asked by reporters outside the facility whether she was considering a run for governor of California, she avoided a direct answer but did not dismiss the possibility.
Last month, Shine My Crown reported that former Vice President Kamala Harris was returning to her home in Los Angeles on Monday with plans to visit a local fire station to thank firefighters for their efforts in battling recent deadly wildfires. Harris, who resides with her husband in Brentwood—a neighborhood that experienced evacuations during the blazes—had initially expressed a desire to visit earlier. However, logistical challenges in her final days in office prevented the trip.
In addition to meeting with firefighters, Harris will join World Central Kitchen to distribute food to community members affected by the wildfires.
Her return to California coincides with speculation about her potential candidacy for governor in 2026. According to sources close to her, Harris intends to take time to focus on her personal affairs after two decades of uninterrupted public service.
Harris’ flight from Joint Base Andrews to California will be operated by an all-female U.S. Air Force crew aboard a C-32 aircraft. An aide noted that this marks the first time an all-female crew has piloted this type of aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.
In January, reports released the close proximity to which Harris’ home is in danger due to the wildfires. A New York Times report found that in Brentwood, a wealthy neighborhood just a few miles east of the Palisades and home to many celebrities, had remained untouched. Even so, security was particularly tight on Tuesday afternoon at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Kenter Avenue, near the eastern edge of the evacuation zone, according to the report.
Journalists, who are typically allowed past such checkpoints, were turned away by National Guard officers and redirected to the next one. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Police Department officers, who often permit residents to briefly return home to collect essentials, informed people they would have to wait another day.
