California Democratic Representative Brad Sherman stated on CNN that the recent cuts were intended to reallocate training funding to be utilized in 2025. Sherman expressed his belief that these cuts should be undone, as they were likely made in error. He emphasized that the funding in question was designated for training purposes in the future, and not the cause of the challenges faced in the Palisades. A December report highlighted a significant decrease in the Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LAFD) ability to handle large emergencies due to budget cuts, posing risks to public and firefighter safety. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley criticized the $17 million budget reduction on CNN, noting that it had a severe impact on the department’s operations and maintenance capabilities.
Critics of Mayor Karen Bass pointed to budget decisions that redirected funds from the fire department to the general fund during contract negotiations. Despite this, City Administrator Matt Szabo assured that firefighting operations were adequately funded and resources would be available for firefighting efforts. Szabo also mentioned plans to propose a salary increase for the fire department soon. Activists expressed concerns over the prioritization of the Los Angeles Police Department over the fire department in the city’s budget, while Councilmember Traci Park criticized the underfunding of infrastructure.
Amid the crisis, there was controversy surrounding Bass’s absence from the city during the fire outbreak as she was on a diplomatic trip to Ghana. Weather warnings indicated severe fire conditions, with the National Weather Service forecasting a potentially life-threatening windstorm. Bass faced criticism for her absence, but supporters, including Tina Knowles, defended her leadership and dedication to Los Angeles.
Emergency Operations Organization, according to the city’s website. When confronted by Sky News upon her return to the city Wednesday, Bass declined to answer whether she owed Los Angeles residents an apology for her absence. Bass said that she was in “constant contact” during the fires and had taken the “fastest route back” in a Wednesday press conference.
“Do you owe citizens an apology for being absent whilst their homes were burning? Do you regret cutting the fire department’s budget? @skydavidblevins questions the mayor of LA, Karen Bass, as she faces backlash regarding the California wildfires. https://t.co/Nkz8onjC7V pic.twitter.com/WwRwp6Imqz— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 8, 2025
Liberal podcast host Tommy Vietor said in a post on X that Bass made an “inexplicable decision to not come back earlier.” Conservative billionaire and former mayoral opponent Rick Caruso said in an interview with Fox 11 Wednesday that, “we have got a mayor that is out of the country, and we have got a city that is burning.”
Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, who represents parts of the San Fernando Valley — including those hit with evacuation warnings and orders after the Kenneth Fire started Thursday — told Politico that the mayor had been able to perform her duties from afar.
“Doing all the work — contacting the first responders, working with (city) council, working with everyone — is something that you can do remotely,” Blumenfield said. “It’s a luxury for folks to sit on the sidelines and cast aspersions and be politically divisive at a time when our sole focus at this moment should be health and safety.”
Contributing: Anna Kaufman
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Karen Bass faces a political firestorm as blazes burn Los Angeles
