Karen Bass Faces Growing Recall Effort As Wildfire Response Sparks Outrage

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is under increasing pressure to resign as a massive wildfire crisis devastates the city. A petition demanding her immediate recall has surpassed 86,000 signatures, with many residents furious over her absence and the city’s poor preparedness in the face of disaster.

Bass was attending a political event in Ghana when wildfires erupted in the Pacific Palisades, quickly spreading across Southern California. By the time she returned, more than 54 square miles had been scorched, over 4,000 structures destroyed and at least 11 lives lost. More than 130,000 residents have been forced to evacuate as fires continue to rage.

The petition accuses Bass of abandoning her responsibilities during a critical emergency. Residents point to severe water shortages, mismanaged disaster resources and a lack of preparedness as evidence of her failed leadership. “Mayor Bass was absent while Los Angeles burned,” the petition reads, calling for her immediate resignation and a full investigation into the city’s disaster response.

Outrage has intensified after it was revealed that Bass cut $17.6 million from the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. A leaked memo exposed plans for an additional $49 million in cuts, which could have resulted in the closure of 16 fire stations. Critics argue these cuts severely weakened the city’s ability to respond effectively to the ongoing wildfires.

Former Los Angeles Department of Water and Power General Manager Martin Adams admitted the city’s infrastructure was unprepared for wildfires of this scale. Reports of dry fire hydrants in multiple neighborhoods further highlight the city’s inability to provide firefighters with the necessary resources to contain the flames.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has since ordered an investigation into Los Angeles’ emergency response and disaster preparedness. However, many residents believe this action comes too late and that Bass must be held accountable for the administration’s failures.

Angelenos are demanding not only Bass’s resignation but also a full audit of how taxpayer funds allocated for disaster preparedness were spent. Many believe new leadership is urgently needed to prioritize public safety and ensure Los Angeles is never caught this unprepared again.

As wildfires continue to destroy homes and displace thousands, the calls for Bass to step down are only growing louder.