Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is under intense scrutiny after being absent from the city during devastating wildfires that have claimed five lives, destroyed homes, and stretched emergency services to their limits. Bass, who was attending the presidential inauguration in Ghana, has faced harsh criticism from residents and officials alike for prioritising international travel over the unfolding disaster.
Wildfires Cause Widespread Destruction
The California wildfires, which began on Tuesday evening, have wreaked havoc across multiple neighbourhoods. In Pacific Palisades, a wealthy coastal enclave, the fire reduced streets lined with celebrity homes to ash. Properties belonging to stars such as Anthony Hopkins and John Goodman were reportedly among those destroyed.
The chaos extended to other areas of Los Angeles. A blaze near a nature preserve northeast of the city forced the evacuation of a senior living centre, with staff wheeling elderly residents, including one aged 102, to safety as flames loomed nearby. Gridlocked roads exacerbated the crisis, with abandoned vehicles blocking emergency response teams until heavy machinery was deployed to clear paths.
Firefighters are battling five major blazes simultaneously, facing water shortages and relentless wind conditions that spread embers across residential areas.
Mayor’s Absence Sparks Fury
Mayor Bass’s decision to leave Los Angeles as the fires erupted has drawn sharp criticism. Residents and officials questioned her judgement, particularly after meteorologists issued warnings of critical weather conditions conducive to wildfires.
Bass travelled to Ghana on Tuesday to attend the inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama and meet the country’s first female vice president. Critics have accused her of neglecting her responsibilities during a city-wide emergency.
Journalist David Blevins of Sky News confronted Bass at Los Angeles International Airport upon her return. In a tense exchange, she refused to respond to questions about her absence, cuts to the fire department’s budget, and her overall handling of the crisis.
“Do you owe your citizens an apology for being absent while their homes were burning?” Blevins asked, receiving no reply.
Budget Cuts Under Fire
Scrutiny has also fallen on Bass’s previous budget decisions. In 2024, the mayor proposed cuts of $23 million to the Los Angeles Fire Department, ultimately reducing the budget by $17.6 million. Critics argue that these cuts have left the city ill-prepared to handle disasters of this magnitude.
Elon Musk joined the chorus of detractors, calling Bass “utterly incompetent” in a social media post.
Mayor’s Response
Bass eventually issued a statement on Wednesday, expressing sympathy for affected families and gratitude to firefighters and first responders. “The City of Los Angeles is working aggressively to confront this emergency,” she said. The mayor toured affected areas alongside California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has pledged additional state resources to combat the fires.
Despite the statement, many Angelenos remain dissatisfied. Social media platforms have been flooded with demands for accountability, with residents expressing frustration over the perceived lack of leadership during a critical period.
A City in Recovery
As firefighters continue to battle the infernos, the city is grappling with immense loss. Entire neighbourhoods have been razed, and residents are left to sift through the rubble in search of what remains.
Emergency shelters have been set up across the city, and Bass has been sharing updates on social media regarding evacuation orders and resources. However, the mayor’s absence during the initial crisis has overshadowed her efforts, raising questions about her ability to lead in times of disaster.
For many residents, the fires represent not just a physical disaster but also a failure of leadership. As the city begins the long process of recovery, the political fallout for Mayor Bass could be as enduring as the scars left by the flames.
