Petition To Oust Mayor Karen Bass Gains Steam As Wildfire Crisis Deepens

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing overwhelming backlash as her administration’s handling of the city’s wildfire disaster comes under scrutiny. A rapidly growing petition demanding her immediate removal has now exceeded 86,000 signatures, reflecting deep frustration over her absence and mismanagement during the emergency.

Bass was thousands of miles away in Ghana when the first major wildfire broke out in Pacific Palisades. In her absence, the fires spread uncontrollably, scorching over 54 square miles, destroying more than 4,000 homes and forcing more than 130,000 residents to evacuate. Tragically, at least 11 people have lost their lives.

The petition accuses Bass of abandoning her responsibilities during the city’s greatest need. “Mayor Bass chose to travel abroad while Los Angeles burned,” the petition declares, demanding her resignation and a thorough investigation into the city’s emergency preparedness and resource management.

Public anger has intensified following reports that Bass cut $17.6 million from the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. A leaked memo revealed plans for an additional $49 million in cuts, which could have resulted in the closure of 16 fire stations. Critics argue these decisions significantly weakened the city’s ability to respond to the wildfire crisis.

Former Los Angeles Department of Water and Power General Manager Martin Adams admitted the city’s infrastructure was never designed to handle wildfires of this scale. Widespread reports of empty fire hydrants have highlighted severe flaws in the city’s disaster response system, leaving firefighters without critical resources.

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced an investigation into the city’s preparedness and response, but many Angelenos believe this step comes far too late. Residents are demanding immediate accountability from Bass for what they view as catastrophic leadership failures.

Beyond her resignation, the public is calling for a full audit of how taxpayer funds for disaster preparedness were spent. Many believe Los Angeles needs stronger leadership that prioritizes public safety and ensures the city is never left this vulnerable again.

As wildfires continue to ravage Southern California, the demand for Bass to step down grows louder, with many residents insisting that her mismanagement has worsened an already tragic situation.