As I drive towards Pacific Palisades, the very heart of the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires, the air is thick with ash, falling around me like snow.
The atmosphere is suffocating, and my throat burns with each breath.
Ahead, the sky glows a deep, angry red, casting an eerie light on the scene.
The traffic on the other side of the road is at a standstill, with everyone desperately trying to flee the chaos.
Destruction and Chaos: A Heartbreaking Scene in LA
My friend, an American who is with me on this journey, struggles to process what’s unfolding.
“This is unbelievable, man,” he mutters under his breath.
Even by Los Angeles standards, these fires are unlike anything anyone has seen before.
They have become the worst in California’s history—and even the United States’—claiming at least 16 lives and leaving behind widespread destruction.
An estimated 29,000 acres of land have been scorched, alongside 10,000 homes and countless other structures.
The total economic damage is staggering, at around $57 billion, with 180,000 people forced to evacuate their homes.
Grief and Anger Over Unavoidable Carnage
As I stand amidst the wreckage, the mood is a mixture of grief and outrage, reminiscent of the sorrow seen in Ukraine after a missile strike.
Everyone I meet is convinced that this disaster could have been prevented.
The primary target of their anger is Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who was absent in Ghana when the fires began.
Her delayed return to address the crisis only added fuel to the fire when, during her press conference, she mistakenly referenced a website link as “URL” instead of the actual emergency site.
Mayor Karen Bass’s Failure to Respond
Bass’s poor handling of the crisis only deepens the residents’ frustration.
It’s already known that her latest budget included a staggering $17.6 million in cuts to the fire department.
Now, a leaked memo reveals that just before the fire outbreak, the city had ordered an additional $49 million in cuts to the fire department’s budget.
In a city where wildfires are an ongoing threat, this level of neglect is unforgivable.
Poor Forest Management and Water Shortages Exacerbate the Crisis
Another critical factor contributing to the devastation is the overgrown brush and unmanaged forests, which have become tinderboxes waiting to ignite.
Environmental lawsuits have prevented the necessary clearing, thinning, and grazing of these forests, allowing their density to increase dramatically.
California’s forests are now five times denser than they were 20 million years ago, turning them into prime kindling for wildfires.
Meanwhile, water issues also played a major role in the disaster.
As the flames raged through Pacific Palisades, many fire hydrants had little to no water. By 3 a.m. on January 10, it was confirmed that the area’s three main water storage tanks had run dry.
The hydrants, which dot the streets of the Palisades, seemed almost mocking in their uselessness.
In many cases, firefighters couldn’t even access them.
A Pattern of Neglect and Underinvestment
This failure was not an isolated incident.
Just two months prior, during another fire in the Santa Susana mountains, firefighters reported similar problems with water pressure and hydrant availability.
The response was deemed disastrous, with officials admitting that the city’s chronic underinvestment in public infrastructure and safety had been on full display.
Governor Gavin Newsom Faces Growing Criticism
The blame for this catastrophe ultimately lands at the feet of California Governor Gavin Newsom.
In an attempt to deflect criticism, Newsom has launched an investigation into why the hydrants were dry. However, his record on wildfire prevention is under intense scrutiny.
Despite promising to manage 90,000 acres of land when he took office in 2019, Newsom has failed to meet this target, with less than 12,000 acres being properly managed.
His budget cuts to wildfire prevention, totaling $150 million, have only compounded the problem.
Political Fallout: Water Crisis and the Delta Smelt Debate
The political fallout has worsened as former President Donald Trump has also weighed in, criticizing Newsom for not signing a water restoration declaration that would have allowed water from northern California’s snowmelt to flow into the drought-stricken areas.
Newsom’s refusal was based on concerns about protecting the delta smelt, a small fish that is integral to the ecosystem.
The situation has now become a political battleground, with Newsom’s leadership in question.
LA’s Political and Social Divide Deepens
The firestorm of political blame has fueled even further division.
Criticism is mounting over Los Angeles’s fire chief, Kristin Crowley, with some claiming that her focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies may have undermined the department’s ability to respond effectively.
Critics like Elon Musk have bluntly stated, “DEI means people die,” echoing the frustration of many who feel that LA’s response to this disaster was hindered by political correctness.
An Unforgiving Community in the Wake of Devastation
As I finally drive away from Pacific Palisades, my friend looks back one last time, his anger palpable.
“When they catch the arsonist who did this,” he says fiercely, “the families of the victims should decide their punishment.”
The sense of rage and helplessness here is overwhelming, and with so many unanswered questions, it seems that the authorities—Mayor Bass, Governor Newsom, and others—will have to endure the public’s wrath as they seek to explain the failures that led to this catastrophic disaster.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn