California wildfires: Former President Joe Biden and former VP Kamala Harris visit SoCal after Donald Trump’s inauguration

LOS ANGELES () — Kamala Harris and Joe Biden traveled to Southern California Monday following President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Harris’ first stop in her home state was at Gordy’s Garage, an Altadena repair shop that’s hosting a World Central Kitchen site. Harris and former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff spoke with fire victims, some of whom had lost everything.

“The volunteers who are there, some of whom lost their own homes, are doing the work of taking care of perfect strangers,” said Harris.

Jason Collins, the chief relief officer with the World Central Kitchen, said Harris thanked them for their “continuous support, for being there on day one and being there for the community.”

“We’re proud to have her here and be able to serve the community of Altadena and give them a little breath of fresh air with everything they’ve been going through,” said Collins.

From there, Harris visited fire station 12, the first station to respond to the Eaton Fire and one that wound up being on the front lines of the firefight.

“Moments of crisis really do reveal the heroes among us. So we just came out to thank them, to thank the community and to remind folks that we’re all in this together, they’re not alone,” said Harris.

The former vice president spent a long time speaking with L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, who commended the crew who had had only one day off since the fires broke out more than a week ago.

“If you can imagine working 13 24-hour shifts with one 24-hour shift break, that’s what this crew is operating on because they love this community,” said Marrone.

LAFD Captain Josh Sweeney said “obviously it’s tough. There’s a lot of emotional toll and the taxing nature of our work that it is. We have a lot of devastation just one block up, and it does take a toll.”

This was also personal for Harris, whose Brentwood home was in a mandatory evacuation zone until this past weekend.

“We’re blessed. Our home is standing. We were under a mandatory evacuation until just a few days ago and we’re able to go back,” said Harris.

Meanwhile, the Bidens traveled to Santa Ynez, California, following Trump’s inauguration.

“We’re leaving office — we’re not leaving the fight,” Biden said in his remarks to staffers at Joint Base Andrews before boarding.

“I’ve been doing this for 50 years, you’re the best group of people,” Biden said. “It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president.”

Biden departed as Trump continued to speak to his supporters at Emancipation Hall.

News contributed to this report.