Petition To Recall Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Surges Amid Wildfire Disaster

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing mounting pressure to resign as public outrage grows over her handling of the city’s devastating wildfires. A petition demanding her immediate recall has surpassed 86,000 signatures, reflecting widespread frustration with the mayor’s absence and budget decisions during the crisis.

Bass was out of the country on a personal trip to Ghana when the first major wildfire erupted in the Pacific Palisades. By the time she returned, the fires had scorched more than 54 square miles, destroying over 4,000 homes and forcing more than 130,000 residents to evacuate. At least 11 people have died in the ongoing disaster.

The petition accuses Bass of neglecting her duties during a critical time, citing severe water shortages, mismanaged emergency resources and the city’s lack of preparedness. “Families have been displaced, homes destroyed and livelihoods shattered—yet Mayor Bass has been absent from the frontlines, choosing to travel abroad while her constituents suffer,” the petition states.

Adding to the public’s anger are recent reports revealing that Bass cut $17.6 million from the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. A leaked memo also exposed plans to slash an additional $49 million, which could have led to the closure of 16 fire stations. Critics argue these decisions weakened the city’s ability to respond effectively to the fires.

Former Los Angeles Department of Water and Power General Manager Martin Adams acknowledged the city’s infrastructure was unprepared for wildfires of this magnitude. Reports of dry fire hydrants in several neighborhoods have raised serious concerns about resource management and emergency planning.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered an investigation into the city’s wildfire response. However, many residents believe this action is too little, too late, and are demanding immediate accountability from Bass and her administration.

The growing recall effort calls not only for Bass’s resignation but also for a thorough review of how taxpayer funds were allocated for disaster preparedness. Residents are demanding stronger leadership that prioritizes public safety over political decisions.

As the fires continue to rage, the pressure on Mayor Bass intensifies, with many Angelenos insisting that leadership failures have worsened the crisis and left the city vulnerable.