Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing controversy after claiming that she did not receive reports on wildfire risks while visiting Ghana on the day a massive wildfire broke out in LA on January 7.
However, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has stated that it provided prior briefings, setting the stage for potential fallout.
The mayor says LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley did not call to warn her in advance of the trip and didn’t do the “normal preparations” for this kind of wind event. Bass told FOX 11 that no advance warnings were given to her prior to leaving.
“That type of preparation didn’t happen. If that had. I wouldn’t have even gone to San Diego, let alone leave the country.”
She said it’s not clear why she never got any advance notice of the significant wind event.
On February 14, Bass admitted Ghana trip before wildfires was a mistake. “When I say it was a mistake, absolutely. The idea that I was not present was very painful,” she added.
Crowley stated that she had warned city officials in advance about strong winds and heightened wildfire risks before the massive blaze broke out.
Speaking to reporters on February 16, Crowley emphasized, “We pre-deployed our personnel ahead of time.” LAFD also released a statement confirming that wildfire risk advisories were issued before the Palisades fire and that city officials had been informed.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath also criticized Mayor Karen Bass’s office, alleging a lack of communication regarding wildfire response efforts. According to The Los Angeles Times, Horvath was reportedly frustrated that she could not reach Mayor Bass during the crisis.
Meanwhile, public dissatisfaction is mounting against California Governor Gavin Newsom. Newsweek reported that a petition for a recall election against Newsom was recently submitted to the governor’s office.
The petition accuses Newsom of “serious mismanagement” during the LA County wildfires, stating that his “insufficient support and delayed response devastated communities.”
A separate recall campaign targeting Mayor Bass has also gained traction. As of February 20, more than 170,000 people had signed an online petition on Change.org, calling for her removal from office.
Former President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Governor Newsom, arguing that Newsom bears full responsibility for the wildfire crisis.
Trump has previously accused Newsom of blocking Northern California water supplies from flowing south to protect endangered fish species, claiming that such policies exacerbated wildfire risks.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
