Karen Bass Slashed Firefighter Funding by £14M—Now Los Angeles is Burning Without Water

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces growing scrutiny after allegations of corruption surfaced, coupled with her controversial decision to cut millions from the city's fire department budget. The backlash comes amidst devastating wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles, leaving thousands displaced and sparking outrage among residents.

Wildfires Rage as Mayor Faces Criticism

As multiple wildfires engulfed Los Angeles County, Bass was 7,400 miles away attending the inauguration of Ghana's president. Her absence during one of the city's most destructive crises has raised eyebrows, with residents and officials questioning her leadership.

According to Sky News, Bass refused to answer questions about her decision to slash the fire department budget by £14.4 million ($17.6 million) for the 2024–2025 fiscal year.

The wildfires, fanned by strong Santa Ana winds, have already claimed five lives, destroyed over 1,000 structures, and forced more than 70,000 residents to evacuate. The Palisades Fire alone has burned 30,000 acres, making it one of the most devastating fires in LA's history.

Water Shortages Hamper Firefighting Efforts

To make matters worse, fire crews faced a critical water shortage while battling the flames. According to The New York Post, hydrants in key areas ran dry, forcing firefighters to watch helplessly as entire neighbourhoods burned.

Rick Caruso, owner of the Palisades Village shopping centre, expressed his frustration, saying, "The firefighters are there, and there's nothing they can do. This should never happen."

The water shortage has been attributed to years of mismanagement within LA's water system, which has faced allegations of corruption, resignations, and operational failures. Critics argue that Bass and her administration should have prioritised infrastructure improvements to prevent such disasters.

Allegations of Corruption

Adding fuel to the fire are allegations of corruption surrounding Bass's tenure. She approved budget cuts to the fire department while increasing spending on homelessness initiatives, with more than £1 billion ($1.3 billion) allocated to the latter. However, an analysis revealed that nearly half of the homeless budget went unspent, raising questions about financial oversight.

Bass has also been linked to a controversial scholarship she received from the University of Southern California while serving in Congress. Although an internal LAPD investigation cleared her of wrongdoing, critics remain sceptical, citing parallels to other corruption scandals involving prominent LA politicians.

Public Outrage and Calls for Accountability

The public's anger is palpable. Social media has been inundated with calls for Bass's resignation, with many questioning her priorities. One resident told Fox News, "I've lived in LA my whole life, and I've never felt so abandoned by leadership. How can the mayor be overseas when our city is burning?"

The criticism extends to LA's fire chief, Kristin Crowley, who has been accused of focusing on diversity initiatives rather than operational preparedness. According to former Fox News host Megyn Kelly, "The fire chief prioritised woke branding over ensuring the hydrants were full."

A Legacy of Mismanagement

LA's struggles with wildfires are not new. Governor Gavin Newsom has also been criticised for failing to implement effective fire prevention measures, such as prescribed burns and fuel breaks.

Newsom diverted water resources from Southern California, citing environmental concerns over the endangered Delta smelt fish—a decision President Donald Trump previously criticised as misguided.

The systemic issues in LA's governance, from water mismanagement to budget cuts, have compounded the crisis, leaving residents to bear the brunt of poor planning and oversight.

As investigations into the wildfires and Bass's decisions continue, the residents of Los Angeles demand answers. The question remains: will leadership rise to the occasion, or will LA's failures in crisis management continue to endanger lives and property?