Biden doesn't let wildfire stop him

RENO, Nev., Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Vice President Joe Biden kept speaking at a high school in Reno, Nev., for 17 minutes after he was told a wildfire was headed that way, officials said.

The vice president continued his talk and took questions during that period Thursday afternoon after the Secret Service told him he would have to wrap it up in 5 minutes, the Las Vegas Sun reported.

Agents and local officials were concerned for Biden's safety and worried that his motorcade would complicate the evacuation of Reno residents. But Biden at one point even moved across the stage to get away from agents trying to get him to leave.

Biden was 2 hours late getting to the Galena High School auditorium because of weather conditions. Winds were gusting up to 80 mph -- helping spread the fire -- and his plane was diverted to a naval air base 80 miles from Reno.

The fire destroyed some homes, authorities said.

Biden was supposed to address the Obama administration's higher education initiatives but also talked about the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act in response to an audience question.

Biden returned to his theme as Secret Service agents escorted him from the stage.

"Do what you can," Biden said. "Beg, borrow, don't steal. But figure out how to get to college."