Los Angeles, California—As raging wildfires continue to devastate Los Angeles, claiming at least 11 lives and destroying thousands of homes, Californians are demanding answers about who is responsible for the vast destruction.
The infernos, described by President Joe Biden as resembling a “war scene,” have triggered widespread anger over officials’ preparedness and response. Residents are particularly frustrated by false evacuation alarms that sparked panic and reports that hydrants ran dry as firefighters battled the initial blazes.
Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered a “full independent review” of the city’s utilities, calling the lack of water supplies during the critical early stages of the fires “deeply troubling.”
City and county officials have labeled the wildfires an extraordinary “perfect storm” scenario. Powerful winds reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour prevented early efforts to use aircraft to deliver water and fire retardant to parched neighborhoods. Experts say that a combination of extreme winds, unusually dry weather, and the rapid emergence of multiple fires made the devastating outcome nearly unavoidable.
Even if all hydrants had been operational, experts suggest they would have been insufficient to combat the massive wildfires. The combination of natural factors created conditions that overwhelmed existing firefighting resources.
Former President Donald Trump criticized Governor Newsom on social media, blaming the shortage of hydrants on the governor’s policies. He alleged that Newsom “refused to sign the water restoration declaration” that would have allowed millions of gallons of water to combat the fires. However, officials from the governor’s office have disputed these claims, stating that such a declaration does not exist and emphasizing that current water management policies have no bearing on firefighting efforts.
In response, Governor Newsom invited Trump to visit Los Angeles to see the devastation firsthand. “In the spirit of this great country, we must not politicize human tragedy or spread disinformation from the sidelines,” Newsom said.
Authorities have noted that it is too early to determine the cause of the blazes. While wildfires occur naturally, scientists stress that human-caused climate change is altering weather patterns and exacerbating the frequency and intensity of these disasters. Two wet years in southern California have given way to a very dry one, leaving ample fuel on the ground primed to burn.
Amid the chaos, emergency managers apologized after false evacuation alerts were mistakenly sent to millions of mobile phones. The erroneous messages led to widespread confusion and panic. “I can’t express enough how sorry I am,” said Kevin McGowan, director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley pointed to recent funding cuts as a factor in the department’s challenges. Speaking to local media, she said her department was chronically “understaffed” and “under-resourced,” hampering their ability to respond effectively to the fires.
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Who's to blame? Californians seek answers amid Los Angeles wildfires
cgtn.com
