LA Times owner BLASTS Mayor Karen Bass over fire department budget cuts amid wildfires

Billionaire Pat Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Los Angeles Times, has publicly criticized Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for cutting the LA Fire Department’s budget amid reports of firefighters struggling with water shortages while battling massive wildfires.

“Our hearts go out to those who have lost their homes and are seeking shelter. Fires in LA are sadly no surprise, yet the Mayor cut LA Fire Department’s budget by $23M,” Soon-Shiong posted on X. “And reports of empty fire hydrants raise serious questions. Competence matters… Follow [LA Times] for live coverage in partnership with [Spectrum]. The live camera view coverage will give our readers a real time view of the fires and the stream is open to all Angelenos. Stay safe.”

Soon-Shiong’s comments come after reports showed that Bass cut the fire department’s budget by $17.6 million in the city’s 2024-25 budget, though she initially proposed it be cut by a larger $23 million. These cuts have come under scrutiny as firefighters report critical water shortages while trying to contain the fires.

Radio communication by firefighters on the ground fighting the fires that broke out this week revealed the lack of resources, with one saying, “The hydrants are down,” and another adding, “Water supply just dropped."

The wildfires have forced over 30,000 residents to evacuate as three major blazes have already destroyed thousands of acres across the city. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone stated that the two major fires remain zero percent contained, and the department has had to call in off-duty personnel to help combat the flames.

Blame for the crisis has extended beyond city leadership, with President-elect Donald Trump targeting California Governor Gavin Newsom in a post. "Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way,” Trump wrote.

"He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didn’t work!), but didn’t care about the people of California. Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is the blame for this. On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster!” the President-elect added.

Governor Newsom has declared a statewide emergency in response to the fires, while President Biden announced that FEMA has approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support firefighting efforts and provide immediate aid to affected areas.