Los Angeles Mayor faces criticism for overseas trip, budget cuts as wildfires rage

BACK TO YOU. ALL RIGHT. GOOD TO HEAR. BIG CHANGE FROM YESTERDAY. THANK YOU. NOW TO OUR COVERAGE OF THE DEADLY AND DESTRUCTIVE L.A. COUNTY WILDFIRES. AND THE DEATH TOLL HAS NOW GONE UP. BUT IT’S LIKELY, OFFICIALS SAY THAT THAT NUMBER WILL GO UP MANY MORE TIMES. WE WILL SEE PALISADES FIRES BURNED NEARLY 20,000 ACRES SINCE STARTING ON TUESDAY. THE LAST UPDATE SHOWED CONTAINMENT UP TO 6%. IT IS THE LARGEST FIRE BURNING IN THE AREA, FOLLOWED BY THE EATON FIRE. THAT ONE IS BURNING IN THE COMMUNITY OF ALTADENA. CREWS AT THIS POINT STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY CONTAINMENT ON THAT ONE. NOW, THE KENNETH FIRE STARTED YESTERDAY. IT’S UP TO 960 ACRES IN L.A. AND VENTURA COUNTIES, AND THERE IS NO CONTAINMENT ON THAT ONE. MEANWHILE, THE HURST FIRE IS UP TO 771 ACRES WITH 37% CONTAINMENT. THE PALISADES FIRE IS OFFICIALLY THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN L.A. COUNTY HISTORY. LOOK AT WHAT’S LEFT. NOT MUCH BETWEEN IT AND THE EATON FIRE. OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THAT AT LEAST 10,000 STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED, INCLUDING HOMES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES, BUSINESSES SUCH AS RESTAURANTS, AS WELL. KCRA 3’S MELANIE WINGO HAS BEEN COVERING THESE FIRES SINCE WEDNESDAY. SHE’S JOINING US AGAIN IN PACIFIC PALISADES. SO, MELANIE, TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE SEEING TODAY AND WHAT’S HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. RIGHT NOW WE’RE ALONG PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY, AS WE HAVE BEEN FOR OUR LIVE REPORTS. THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE CONNECTIVITY, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY ALL OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE UP THE HILL FROM WHERE WE ARE IN THE PACIFIC PALISADES COMMUNITY IS BLOWN OUT. AND WE GOT A CHANCE TO TAKE A LOOK AT ALL OF THE DESTRUCTION YESTERDAY. YOU KNOW, THIS HAS BEEN DESCRIBED IN SO MANY WAYS, BUT SO MANY SIMILAR WAYS. PEOPLE I’VE SPOKEN WITH WHO LIVED IN THE AREA THAT IS NOW FLATTENED HAVE CALLED IT A HELLSCAPE. THEY HAVE CALLED IT A WAR ZONE. THEY SAID. ONE GENTLEMAN I SPOKE WITH SAID, I HATE TO USE THE TERM WAR ZONE BECAUSE IT’S GETTING SO CLICHE AS IT RELATES TO THE PALISADES FIRE DESTRUCTION. BUT HE SAID, THERE’S REALLY NO OTHER WAY TO DESCRIBE IT. APOCALYPTIC IS ANOTHER TERM PEOPLE HAVE BEEN THROWING AROUND AS IT RELATES TO THE DAMAGE AND DESTRUCTION, NOT JUST HERE ON THE PALISADES FIRE, BUT ALSO THE EATON FIRE AND THE OTHER FIRES BURNING THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. SO IT’S BEEN SUCH AN EYE OPENING EXPERIENCE TO SEE JUST HOW MUCH HIGH DENSITY DESTRUCTION HAS HAPPENED. I THINK OF THE CAMP FIRE DESTRUCTION BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, SO MANY THOUSANDS OF HOMES WERE DESTROYED IN THE CAMP FIRE. THIS IS SIMILAR IN THE NATURE OF THE FACT THAT SO MANY HOMES WERE IN SUCH A CLOSE PROXIMITY, THAT THAT’S WHY SO MANY WERE TAKEN OUT. AND IT’S NOT ALMOST LIKE SOME OF THE RURAL FIRES THAT WE’VE COVERED IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, WHERE THE LOSSES ARE GREAT AND SEVERE. BUT PERHAPS NOT IN THE NUMBERS THAT WE ARE SEEING HERE. DEIRDRE. AND TEO. IT’S JUST EXTRAORDINARY TO TO TOUR THESE AREAS AND SEE WHAT HAS BEEN LOST. AND, YOU KNOW, WE’VE SEEN HOW INTENSE THOSE FIRES ARE. AND WE KNOW THAT THE NUMBER OF HOMES AND STRUCTURES THAT HAVE BEEN DESTROYED WENT UP AGAIN OVERNIGHT. RIGHT? IT DID. AND WHEN WE FIRST CAME INTO TOWN, IT WAS AROUND THE 1000 MARK. AND NOW WE’RE INTO THE HIGH, YOU KNOW, THE HIGH 5000 RANGE OF HOMES JUST ON THE PALISADES FIRE HERE THAT HAVE BEEN LOST. AND WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WHAT’S LOST, IT’S NOT JUST THE STRUCTURE ITSELF. AS I SPOKE WITH THE NEIGHBORS WHO CAME BACK TO TRY TO SEE, DID MY HOME BURN TO THE GROUND, THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY THAT’S LOST. AND I BELIEVE, DEIRDRE, YOU BROUGHT THIS UP YESTERDAY, TOO. WE’RE WE’RE TALKING ABOUT A LIFETIME WORTH OF MEMORIES THAT BURN TO THE GROUND, BUT ALSO THE COMMUNITY, THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEIR SCHOOL COMMUNITY, THEIR CHURCHES, EVERYTHING THAT’S FAMILIAR TO THEM AND THEIR NEIGHBORS ARE WITHOUT SO MUCH. BECAUSE BASICALLY, THIS COMMUNITY HAS GONE DOWN WITH THE STRUCTURES THEMSELVES. IT’S ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING. AGAIN, A TERM THAT’S BEEN USED SO MUCH, BUT IT’S IT’S REALLY SO TRUE. YEAH. AND I THINK IT’S REALLY AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS REALLY SETTLING IN FOR PEOPLE, JUST HOW MUCH HAS GONE HAS CHANGED AND WILL CHANGE. MELANIE THANK YOU. WE’LL JOIN YOU AGAIN IN OUR NEXT HALF HOUR. MEANWHILE, A FIREFIGHTING AIRCRAFT FROM CANADA HIT A DRONE AS IT WAS OVER THE PALISADES FIRE. THAT CREW HAD TO LAND AND ARE SAFE. IT IS A FEDERAL CRIME TO INTERFERE WITH FIREFIGHTING EFFORTS ON PUBLIC LAND. IT IS ACTUALLY PUNISHABLE BY UP TO A YEAR IN PRISON. AND WE’VE SEEN ENTIRE AIR OPERATIONS GROUNDED DURING MAJOR WILDFIRES BECAUSE OF PEOPLE ILLEGALLY FLYING DRONES. WE’LL CONTINUE FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS ON THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES, ON AIR AND ON OUR KCRA APP. MAKE SURE YOU TURN ON THOSE PUSH ALERTS AND YOU’LL GET THE VERY LATEST NEWS. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASKING, HOW CAN I HELP? WELL, YOU CAN SCAN THE QR CODE THERE ON YOUR SCREEN TO DONATE. WE ARE TEAMING UP WITH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THE DEVASTATING FIRES BURNING ACROSS L.A. COUNTY. YOUR DONATION WILL SUPPORT THE VICTIMS WIT

As the most destructive fire in Los Angeles area history rages, Mayor Karen Bass faces criticism over the timing of an overseas trip and budget cuts made months ago that affected the city’s fire department.For a second consecutive day, L.A. residents awoke to an inferno that has claimed at least five lives and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes. Firefighters and first responders are struggling to contain five fast-moving wildfires that have scorched over 25,000 acres and destroyed nearly 2,000 homes, businesses and other structures.The Palisades Fire erupted around 10:30 a.m. PT on Jan. 7, while Bass was in Ghana attending the inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama as part of a U.S. presidential delegation. The trip, announced by the White House earlier this month, coincided with the fire’s rapid expansion, fueled by intense winds that temporarily prevented aerial firefighting efforts.The National Weather Service in Los Angeles had issued numerous warnings about dangerous weather conditions, including destructive windstorms, in the days leading up to the fire, said Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist with the agency.“This is an event that had exceptionally long lead times, not only of the powerful windstorm that we anticipated but also the potential for a particularly dangerous situation, red flag warning, fire weather conditions,” Cohen said.Rick Caruso, a real estate developer and former mayoral candidate, criticized Bass for her absence, saying, “This is an absolute mismanagement by the city and I’m going to be very honest, we’ve got a mayor that’s out of the country and we’ve got a city that’s burning.”“This was a disaster waiting to happen and what’s predictable is preventable and who’s paying the price is all these people and their homes tonight,” Caruso told Fox 11.Timelapse video below shows wildfires rapidly spreading in southern CaliforniaOn Thursday, Bass emphasized the “unprecedented” nature of the fires and defended her leadership during the crisis. She insisted her “number one focus” is protecting lives and saving homes.“Rest assured when that is done, when we are safe, when lives have been saved and homes have been saved, we will absolutely do an evaluation to look at what worked, and what didn’t work, and to correct – or to hold accountable – anybody, department, individual, etcetera,” Bass said.“But my focus right now is on the lives and the homes.”Bass in 'constant contact' with teamsIt is unclear when Bass was informed about the fires and decided to return to California.But on her return Wednesday, Bass was confronted at the airport by a Sky News reporter, who asked if she owed Angelenos an apology for her absence during the fires.A stone-faced Bass refused to answer as the reporter followed her down the gangway.Bass had left Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson as mayor pro tempore in her absence.At a news conference Wednesday morning, Harris-Dawson acknowledged the work of the first responders doing “heroic work in the face of grave danger.”“Last night was one of the most devastating and terrifying nights that we’ve seen in any part of our city, at any part of our history,” he said.On Wednesday night, Bass told reporters she had been in “constant contact” with local, federal, and county officials marshaling the response to the fires as she made her way back to the United States.“I took the fastest route back which included being on a military plane which facilitated our communications. So, I was able to be on the phone the entire time of the flight,” Bass said, adding she also had phone access during her commercial flight “like most people do.”“I was on the phone on the plane almost every hour of the flight. So, although I was not physically here, I was in contact with many of the individuals that are standing here throughout the entire time when my flight landed, immediately went to the fire zone and saw what happened in Pacific Palisades.”CNN reached out to her office asking if they considered delaying her trip to Ghana due to the weather conditions.LAFD budget cutsBass has sought to assure residents that cuts to the fire department’s annual budget have not impacted the city’s current ability to address the fires.In June, Bass approved a budget of nearly $13 billion that included a $17 million reduction in the LAFD’s more than $800 million budget for 2025. L.A. Fire Chief Kristen Crowley noted in a December report the funding deficit has affected the department’s “ability to maintain core operations,” including training and response to large-scale emergencies.The report also highlighted that the department had been unable to perform required brush clearance inspections to mitigate fire risks, and residential inspections for fire safety compliance were reduced.“Ultimately, loss of funding impairs the Department’s ability to mitigate wildland fires and other hazards effectively,” the report stated.At a news conference Thursday morning, Bass insisted that the budget cuts have not hindered the LAFD’s ability to fight the wildfires. “I think if you go back and look at the reductions that have been made, there were no reductions that would have impacted the situation we were dealing with over the last couple of days,” she said.“It’s important to understand that we were in tough budgetary times. Everybody knew that, but the impact of our budget really did not affect what we’ve been going through over the last few days.”California Democratic Rep. Brad Sherman, whose district includes the Pacific Palisades, said on CNN Thursday the budget cuts “relate to money that’s going to be spent in 2025 and were chiefly for training.”“These cuts, I think, will be reversed, and should be, and they were perhaps ill-advised,” he said. “But they’re not a reason why the Palisades have suffered – this was money to train people in 2025.”Now that Bass has returned to California, she said her focus will remain on coordinating the response to the fires and preserving life and property. “We will begin the process of rebuilding. We will have critical resources available to ensure the residents of our communities are not fighting these battles alone,” she said.“Make no mistake, this board and this county will continue to do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our residents as we look forward to the path of recovery.”

LOS ANGELES —

For a second consecutive day, L.A. residents awoke to an inferno that has claimed at least five lives and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes. Firefighters and first responders are struggling to contain five fast-moving wildfires that have scorched over 25,000 acres and destroyed nearly 2,000 homes, businesses and other structures.

The Palisades Fire erupted around 10:30 a.m. PT on Jan. 7, while Bass was in Ghana attending the inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama as part of a U.S. presidential delegation. The trip, by the White House earlier this month, coincided with the fire’s rapid expansion, fueled by intense winds that temporarily prevented aerial firefighting efforts.

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles had issued numerous warnings about dangerous weather conditions, including destructive windstorms, in the days leading up to the fire, said Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist with the agency.

“This is an event that had exceptionally long lead times, not only of the powerful windstorm that we anticipated but also the potential for a particularly dangerous situation, red flag warning, fire weather conditions,” Cohen said.

Rick Caruso, a real estate developer and former mayoral candidate, criticized Bass for her absence, saying, “This is an absolute mismanagement by the city and I’m going to be very honest, we’ve got a mayor that’s out of the country and we’ve got a city that’s burning.”

“This was a disaster waiting to happen and what’s predictable is preventable and who’s paying the price is all these people and their homes tonight,” .

Timelapse video below shows wildfires rapidly spreading in southern California

On Thursday, Bass emphasized the “unprecedented” nature of the fires and defended her leadership during the crisis. She insisted her “number one focus” is protecting lives and saving homes.

“Rest assured when that is done, when we are safe, when lives have been saved and homes have been saved, we will absolutely do an evaluation to look at what worked, and what didn’t work, and to correct – or to hold accountable – anybody, department, individual, etcetera,” Bass said.

“But my focus right now is on the lives and the homes.”

Bass in 'constant contact' with teams

It is unclear when Bass was informed about the fires and decided to return to California.

But on her return Wednesday, Bass was confronted at the airport by a reporter, who asked if she owed Angelenos an apology for her absence during the fires.

A stone-faced Bass refused to answer as the reporter followed her down the gangway.

Bass had left Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson as mayor pro tempore in her absence.

At a news conference Wednesday morning, Harris-Dawson acknowledged the work of the first responders doing “heroic work in the face of grave danger.”

“Last night was one of the most devastating and terrifying nights that we’ve seen in any part of our city, at any part of our history,” he said.

On Wednesday night, Bass told reporters she had been in “constant contact” with local, federal, and county officials marshaling the response to the fires as she made her way back to the United States.

“I took the fastest route back which included being on a military plane which facilitated our communications. So, I was able to be on the phone the entire time of the flight,” Bass said, adding she also had phone access during her commercial flight “like most people do.”

“I was on the phone on the plane almost every hour of the flight. So, although I was not physically here, I was in contact with many of the individuals that are standing here throughout the entire time when my flight landed, immediately went to the fire zone and saw what happened in Pacific Palisades.”

CNN reached out to her office asking if they considered delaying her trip to Ghana due to the weather conditions.

LAFD budget cuts

Bass has sought to assure residents that cuts to the fire department’s annual budget have not impacted the city’s current ability to address the fires.

In June, Bass approved a budget of nearly $13 billion that included a $17 million reduction in the for 2025. L.A. Fire Chief Kristen Crowley noted in a report the funding deficit has affected the department’s “ability to maintain core operations,” including training and response to large-scale emergencies.

The report also highlighted that the department had been unable to perform required brush clearance inspections to mitigate fire risks, and residential inspections for fire safety compliance were reduced.

“Ultimately, loss of funding impairs the Department’s ability to mitigate wildland fires and other hazards effectively,” the report stated.

At a news conference Thursday morning, Bass insisted that the budget cuts have not hindered the LAFD’s ability to fight the wildfires. “I think if you go back and look at the reductions that have been made, there were no reductions that would have impacted the situation we were dealing with over the last couple of days,” she said.

“It’s important to understand that we were in tough budgetary times. Everybody knew that, but the impact of our budget really did not affect what we’ve been going through over the last few days.”

California Democratic Rep. Brad Sherman, whose district includes the Pacific Palisades, said on CNN Thursday the budget cuts “relate to money that’s going to be spent in 2025 and were chiefly for training.”

“These cuts, I think, will be reversed, and should be, and they were perhaps ill-advised,” he said. “But they’re not a reason why the Palisades have suffered – this was money to train people in 2025.”

Now that Bass has returned to California, she said her focus will remain on coordinating the response to the fires and preserving life and property. “We will begin the process of rebuilding. We will have critical resources available to ensure the residents of our communities are not fighting these battles alone,” she said.

“Make no mistake, this board and this county will continue to do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our residents as we look forward to the path of recovery.”

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