Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is under fire for slashing the city’s fire department budget just months before the most destructive wildfire in the city’s history erupted on Tuesday.

The devastating blazes have claimed over 1,000 structures and forced tens of thousands to evacuate their homes as firefighters struggle to contain the flames.

The Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget was reduced by $17.6 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to city records.

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This marked the second-largest funding cut in Bass’ budget, which allocated a $126 million increase to the Los Angeles Police Department during the same period.

The cuts to the fire department were initially proposed to be even larger—$23 million—before being adjusted in the final budget.

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The timing of the budget cuts has drawn sharp criticism as the city faces an unprecedented wildfire crisis.

Fire hydrants in some areas reportedly ran dry, complicating firefighters’ efforts to battle the fast-moving flames fueled by Santa Ana winds.

Adding to the criticism, Bass was out of the country when the fires began, attending the presidential inauguration in Ghana.

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As the fires engulfed parts of Los Angeles, Bass tweeted updates from Africa, prompting outrage from residents who questioned her priorities during the crisis.

The details of the fire department budget cuts resurfaced as the mayor returned to the city amid mounting backlash.

On Wednesday, she met with Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles firefighters for a photo op in front of charred homes, sparking further criticism from those who viewed the move as performative.

The New York Post reported on the controversy, highlighting the stark contrast between the increased funding for law enforcement and the reduced budget for firefighting services.

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The budget decisions have reignited debates over the city’s preparedness for natural disasters, particularly in light of this year’s El Niño conditions, which contributed to an abundance of dried vegetation that fueled the fires.

The wildfires, which have devastated neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades and beyond, have become the most destructive in Los Angeles history.

They surpassed the damage caused by the 2008 Sayre Fire, which destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar.

Tens of thousands of residents have been displaced, and firefighters have conceded that containment efforts are being hampered by dry conditions and strong winds.

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Southern California’s “devil winds,” formally known as Santa Ana winds, have exacerbated the situation, pushing the flames across a vast area with little warning.

Experts say the combination of dried vegetation and these strong winds created ideal conditions for the infernos to spread rapidly.

Bass has yet to directly address the backlash over her budget decisions or her absence during the early stages of the crisis.

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Upon her return from Ghana, Bass got grilled by a Sky News reporter, and she couldn’t even respond with an apology to the people of Los Angeles for what she has done.

That along with a subsequent appearance with Newsom and firefighters have done little to quell criticism, as many residents continue to question the city’s preparedness and leadership during such a catastrophic event.

As Los Angeles faces the long road to recovery, the political fallout from the crisis and the budget decisions leading up to it are likely to remain a contentious issue.

For now, firefighters continue to battle the flames as residents wait for answers and support in the aftermath of the city’s worst wildfire disaster.

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