The recent actions of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass following the devastating wildfires have drawn considerable criticism, particularly her decision to terminate Fire Chief Kristen Crowley. Critics argue that this move is a blatant attempt to deflect responsibility for the city's inadequate response to the disaster.

Bass's justification for firing Crowley centered on the claim that she wasn't contacted directly about the escalating fire risk, a statement that has been met with skepticism. Publicly available information shows that the National Weather Service issued warnings about extreme fire conditions days before the fires erupted. Bass herself even posted on social media about the "potentially life-threatening windstorm" while on a trip to Ghana. This raises questions about her claim of being unaware of the severity of the situation.

The mayor's decision to fire Crowley has been labeled a desperate attempt to shift blame. Instead of accepting responsibility for the city's failures in managing the crisis, Bass appears to be scapegoating the fire chief. This raises concerns about her leadership and commitment to addressing the underlying issues that contributed to the disaster.

Furthermore, critics point to a pattern of delayed responses and inadequate preparation by the city. Questions remain about the empty Santa Ynez reservoir, the accumulation of brush on the hillsides, the effectiveness of evacuation procedures, and budget cuts to the fire department. These factors, critics argue, played a significant role in the severity of the wildfires and deserve thorough investigation rather than simply blaming the fire chief.

The firing of Chief Crowley has sparked outrage and calls for accountability. Many see it as a political maneuver to protect the mayor's image rather than a genuine effort to improve the city's disaster preparedness and response. The situation continues to unfold as residents demand answers and action from their elected officials.