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Mayor Karen Bass Faces Backlash Amidst Los Angeles Wildfires

In an unusual incident that has drawn significant attention, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was seen struggling to navigate her way through locked doors at the airport while attempting to avoid a persistent reporter. The encounter occurred as Bass returned from a trip to Ghana, amidst a crisis back home marked by severe wildfires that have claimed five lives and devastated countless homes.

Faced with questions regarding her absence during the ongoing disaster, Bass appeared distracted and unresponsive. A SkyNews reporter queried, “Do you owe citizens an apology for being absent whilst their homes were burning?” To this, the mayor did not reply, seemingly struggling to gain access through a locked airport door. The scene, reminiscent of a comedic political satire, underscored the gravity of the situation on the ground.

As she tried to enter another section of the airport, Bass encountered yet another locked door, prompting the reporter to inquire, “Madam mayor, just a few words for the citizens today as you return?” Once again, she remained silent as an airport staff member intervened to unlock the door.

The wildfires raging across the Los Angeles region have been exacerbated by powerful winds related to the Santa Ana phenomenon, with the most significant incident being the Palisades Fire, which has scorched over 15,000 acres and forced thousands of residents to evacuate. It has resulted in the destruction of more than 1,000 structures, according to officials. The Eaton Fire has also posed a serious threat, having spread to an additional 10,000 acres.

“Unfortunately, we have five reported civilian fatalities, along with numerous injuries and significant property damage,” remarked Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone, noting that the cause of the blazes remains under investigation. Meanwhile, as fires continued to erupt, fire officials reported a new brush fire in Hollywood Hills and reaffirmed their commitment to deploying all necessary resources to combat the flames.

As the crisis unfolded, attention turned to Mayor Bass, with criticism emerging regarding her management and decision-making leading up to the disaster. Patrick Soon-Shiong, owner of the Los Angeles Times, noted in a post on X that Bass had cut the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget by $23 million and raised concerns about empty fire hydrants during such emergencies: “Competence matters…”

Funding for the Los Angeles Fire Department was reduced by over $17 million from the previous year for the 2025 fiscal year, which began in July. When questioned about these funding reductions, Bass defended the budget by stating that the fire department would perform over the allocated amount by the end of the fiscal year.

Bass was notably absent from initial press conferences addressing the fire situation while she was in Ghana for the inauguration of President John Mahama. Her office later indicated that she had maintained communication with local officials throughout her trip. Upon her return, she insisted that she had been in constant contact with fire commanders and other officials during her flight, emphasizing that the city was actively engaged in combating the fires.

Criticism continued from figures such as Rick Caruso, a billionaire and former mayoral candidate, who echoed concerns about inadequate resources being allocated for fire response, specifically citing issues with functioning fire hydrants. “There’s no water in the Palisades,” Caruso stated during an interview. “And we’ve got a mayor that’s out of the country, and we’ve got a city that’s burning.”

In response to the growing criticism and the challenges presented by the fires, Bass urged unity among residents, asserting the importance of vigilance and action over speculation. She further attributed the severity of the wildfires to prolonged drought conditions and unprecedented winds.

Janisse Quiñones, CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, confirmed that although water tanks were filled, they faced extraordinarily high demand due to the fires. The situation led to a significant dip in water pressure as firefighters battled the blazes in Pacific Palisades, ultimately depleting the water supply overnight.

Source
www.yahoo.com