Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called for an additional $49 million reduction to the fire department’s budget just days before devastating wildfires engulfed the city, according to the Daily Mail, which cited a leaked memo dated January 6.
Sources cited in the report indicated that the proposed budget cut would have led to the closure of 16 fire stations and severely hindered the department’s ability to respond to emergencies.
On Friday, Californians demanded accountability for the widespread devastation caused by the raging Los Angeles wildfires, as authorities enforced a strict curfew to curb looting and maintain order.
At least 11 people have died as the fires tore through neighborhoods, destroying thousands of homes in what US President Joe Biden described as resembling a “war zone”.
Frustration has mounted over the government’s preparedness and response. Criticism has focused on issues such as false evacuation alerts and a lack of water pressure when firefighters initially battled the flames.
California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered a “full independent review” of Los Angeles’ utilities, calling the dry hydrants encountered during the early stages of the fires “deeply troubling”.
“We need answers to how that happened,” Newsom wrote in an open letter.
As fears of looting rise, a dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed in evacuated areas. The Los Angeles Police Department has made around two dozen arrests, and some residents have formed armed street patrols to safeguard their homes.
“If we see you in these areas, you will be subject to arrest,” said Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell, noting that violators face up to six months in jail or $1,000 in fines. The National Guard has also been deployed to support local law enforcement.
Five separate fires have scorched over 37,000 acres (15,000 hectares) and destroyed approximately 10,000 buildings, according to California’s fire agency.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed another fatality on Friday, bringing the death toll to 11.
In Pacific Palisades and Malibu, firefighters reported progress, with 8% of the fire’s perimeter contained. However, a late flare-up on Friday prompted new mandatory evacuations in wealthy neighborhoods along the fire’s eastern edge.
The Eaton Fire in the Altadena area is reported to be 3% contained, with Fire Chief Jason Schillinger citing “significant progress” in suppression efforts. Meanwhile, a third fire near Hidden Hills, which erupted on Thursday, is now 50% contained.
Despite these developments, emergency officials warned that conditions remain “very dangerous” and that relief from the strong winds fanning the flames would be short-lived.
“The winds have died down today, but… are going to increase again in the coming days,” said Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
While the cause of the fires is yet to be determined, experts have noted that wildfires, though a natural occurrence, are being exacerbated by human-induced climate change, which alters weather patterns and intensifies fire dynamics.
On Friday, Los Angeles County Emergency Management Director Kevin McGowan apologized for false evacuation alerts that were mistakenly sent to millions of residents, causing widespread panic.
“I can’t express enough how sorry I am,” McGowan said.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, speaking to Fox affiliate KTTV, attributed the department’s struggles to chronic underfunding, stating it was “understaffed” and “under-resourced” due to recent budget cuts.
