The Los Angeles Fire Department had its budget cut by a staggering $17.6 million this financial year, records show — as fire crews continue to battle out-of-control blazes ravaging the City of Angels.
The drastic decrease in funding for the fire department was the second-largest cut to come out of embattled Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass‘ 2024-25 fiscal year budget, according to city figures.
The police budget, meanwhile, increased by $126 million, a graphic shared by LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia shows.
Bass had initially wanted to cut the fire department by even more — a staggering $23 million.
The details on Bass’ budget slashing resurfaced as the mayor faced widespread backlash Wednesday after it was revealed she was away in Africa for the Ghana president’s inauguration — even as wind-whipped wildfires turned parts of her city into an apocalyptic hellscape.
In her absence, Bass found time to praise firefighters and other emergency crews for working “overnight to protect Angelenos affected by fires.”
“Angelenos should be advised that the windstorm is expected to worsen through the morning and to heed local warnings, stay vigilant and stay safe,” Bass said in a post on X.
The flames still burning uncontained as of early Wednesday have already destroyed homes and clogged roadways as tens of thousands of residents fled and strained resources.
The frightening ordeal prompted the LA fire department to take the rare step of putting out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help battle multiple blazes tearing through the city.
Reports were also emerging that firefighters were running out of water as they battle the growing wildfires in the area.
Stay up to date with the NYP’s coverage of the terrifying Palisades fire
- 30K LA residents, celebs flee as Pacific Palisades fire worsens; screaming residents abandon cars, creating hurdle for firefighters
- Out-of-control LA wildfires force residents — including celebs — to flee in terror: PHOTOS
- Palisades fire live updates: Los Angeles firefighters are running out of water as they battle growing wildfires: report
- Horrifying footage shows Pacific Palisades wildfire destruction as powerful winds fuel inferno
- Firefighters running out of water as fires tear through Los Angeles
Critics on social media were quick to blame Bass — and her budget cuts — for resources being strained as the disaster unfolded.
“Karen Bass cut the Fire Department budget by 418 million. Now she’s asking for volunteers to fight a fire. All awhile, she’s on vacation in Ghana. Lmao,” one person griped on X.
“Oh look, Karen Bass’ budget called for the elimination of LA’s Emergency Management Department’s positions (the dept that’s running the show). This is after she cut the Fire Department by nearly $17M,” another user tweeted.
“This out-of-touch career politician is completely unfit to serve. It’s time for a recall,” one user raged, noting the fire department’s budget was among the highest cuts.
As the city struggled, Gov. Gavin Newsom said early Wednesday that California had deployed more than 1,400 firefighters to help combat the blazes.
“Emergency officials, firefighters, and first responders are all hands on deck through the night to do everything possible to protect lives,” Newsom said in a post on X.
