Los Angeles Mayor Faces Scrutiny Over Ghana Trip During Deadly Wildfires

Karen Bass defends her decision to travel abroad, citing insufficient warnings, as investigations probe wildfire response and leadership decisions.

Mayor Karen Bass traveled to Ghana during devastating Los Angeles wildfires that burned over 57,000 acres and destroyed thousands of homes.
Bass claims she was not adequately warned about the severity of the wildfire risk before leaving for the trip, though escalating alerts were issued by the National Weather Service days prior.
The wildfires caused an estimated $250 billion in damages, making them one of the costliest disasters in U.S. history, with 29 fatalities and significant property loss reported.
Criticism has mounted over Bass's leadership, including her decision to cut the fire department's budget by $17 million despite warnings about inadequate staffing for large-scale emergencies.
Internal and external investigations are underway to assess the city's wildfire preparedness and response, with Bass expressing regret for her absence during the crisis.