Denouncing the mismanagement of water distribution services by local authorities, residents of Los Angeles have launched a petition to demand the resignation of Mayor Karen Bass. In total, more than 12,000 homes were reduced to ashes.
Chaos reigns in Los Angeles. While the American city, plagued by violent fires since last Tuesday, continues to count its dead, residents of the cinematic capital have launched a petition to demand the resignation of Mayor Karen Bass. Created on January 8, the petition has already collected nearly 120,000 signatures. The goal is to collect 150,000.
“We, the undersigned residents of Los Angeles and concerned citizens, urgently call for the immediate recall of Mayor Karen Bass due to her gross mismanagement and failure to effectively respond to the devastating 2025 wildfires in and around the City of Los Angeles. Los Angeles,” write the residents.
Inoperative fire hydrants, empty water tank
Many Angelins are beginning to question the management of local authorities, in particular because firefighters have sometimes had to deal with inoperative fire hydrants or with low pressure. One of the water reservoirs supplying the region was empty, because it was closed for work. The state’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, notably called for “a comprehensive independent review” of the city’s water services.
President-elect Donald Trump also once again attacked the management of the fires by local leaders on Sunday. “Incompetent politicians have no idea how to turn them off,” he said on his Truth Social platform.
“Despite the tireless efforts of our first responders, the city is unfortunately not prepared to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents,” the petition denounces. Basic resources, such as water and emergency services, are insufficient and leadership is nowhere to be found when it is needed most,” he added.
Strong winds risk fanning flames
When the first fires broke out on Tuesday January 7, the city’s mayor, Karen Bass, was traveling to Ghana. Returning to Los Angeles on January 8, the politician was attacked as soon as she got off the plane.
Disgruntled Los Angeles residents are calling for his immediate resignation, as well as a “full and transparent investigation into the failures in disaster preparedness, response and resource allocation that have left our city vulnerable.” They also demand, in the future, the implementation of a plan to ensure their safety in the face of future disasters.
In total, 24 people lost their lives in these terrible fires and 12,000 homes were reduced to ashes. While the efforts of thousands of firefighters made it possible to contain the progression of the fire, after a short lull, the city is preparing to face violent winds which risk fueling the fires again.
