Altadena was the first stop former Vice Chief Kamala Harris made after leaving office Monday and returning to California, where she met with volunteers and firefighters working on the Eaton fire.
Hours after attending President Trump's inauguration, Harris and former second-in-command Doug Emhoff landed at Burbank Airport and visited a former auto repair shop in Altadena.
Harris and Emhoff met with volunteers working for World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit founded by chef Jose Andres that distributes free meals in Altadena and Pacific Palisades. They then helped distribute food at the start of the dinner rush.
“The volunteers there, some of whom have lost their own homes, are doing the job of taking care of perfect strangers,” Harris said. “These are people who understand the strength and value of community.”
Harris' visit came as Los Angeles County announced that all mandatory evacuation orders in Altadena had been lifted. The county tallied the estimated number of buildings damaged in the fire: 9,418 buildings destroyed and 1,069 damaged.
Ann, a 72-year-old Pasadena resident who did not want her full name in the media, stopped by the World Central Kitchen site to grab dinner before returning to her home near the Rose Bowl.
To her surprise, the volunteer who gave her the meal – a beef and rice dish, an orange and a plastic bag of utensils – was the former vice president.
She put the bag on the asphalt outside the garage and immediately called her sister and said, “This is so cool.”
“Kamala Harris serves food!” she said in a voicemail message. “It's 5:15. Maybe if you're in a hurry, you can go here!”

Former Deputy Chief Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, met with members of Fire Station 12 in Altadena on Monday.
(Carlyn Steele/For The Times)
Harris and Emhoff then visited Los Angeles County Fire Station 12 on Lincoln Avenue, where they met firefighters who were working overnight Jan. 7 when the Eaton fire broke out.
“Moments of crisis really bring out the heroes in us,” Harris said. At least a dozen firefighters lost their homes during the Eden and Palisades fires, he said.
“California firefighters have proven time and time again that they are the best at their jobs, dealing with moments of unprecedented crisis and doing so with extraordinary courage and sacrifice,” Harris said.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Maron, one of the firefighters who met with Harris, said the federal aide was “very appreciative” of President Biden. It was approved before he left office.
That contract will cover 100% of California's fire management and debris removal costs for the next six months, up from the typical federal share of 75%. Governor Gavin Newsom later requested funding Meeting with Biden in Los Angeles The day after the fire started.
“It's really a touching moment for me because the federal government is going to help rebuild this area,” Marrone said. “I thank them for that.”