(CLO) US Vice President Kamala Harris’ home in Los Angeles is under mandatory evacuation as severe wildfires erupt due to strong winds in California.
The area around Ms Harris’s home has been evacuated as the fire rages amid strong winds. The vice president is currently in Washington.
Located in an upscale neighborhood near the Getty Museum, the 3,500-square-foot mansion, with four bedrooms and a pool, is valued at $5 million in 2024.
Purchased by Harris’ husband, attorney Douglas Emhoff, in 2012, the mansion is in an area popular with celebrities including actress Gwyneth Paltrow and basketball star LeBron James.
Wildfires rage out of control in Los Angeles. Photo: Social media
The fire has forced thousands of people to flee their homes and caused extensive damage to the surrounding area. Firefighters face major challenges in controlling the blaze.
Santa Ana winds, gusting up to 60 mph and threatening to increase to 100 mph, pushed the fire through the dry foothills and mountains. Firefighting aircraft were unable to operate due to the severe weather conditions, while ash and embers flew far and wide, threatening areas beyond the immediate fire line.
In Pacific Palisades, a wealthy coastal area not far from Ms. Harris’s home, the fire destroyed scores of homes and caused major traffic jams as residents abandoned their cars and fled on foot.
Landmark structures, including some trees on the Getty Villa grounds, were also affected, although the museum and its collections remained safe.
Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency as more than 30,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes and 13,000 structures are threatened. The fire has spread to neighboring areas such as Malibu, where one firefighter was critically injured and several residents were treated for burns.
