Additional Coverage:
Los Angeles Fire Budget Scrutinized Amid Wildfires
Mayor Karen Bass is facing criticism over her decision to reduce the fire department’s budget last year, while increasing spending on homelessness. The fire department received $837 million for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, significantly less than the $1.3 billion allocated for homelessness.
Despite the wildfires currently ravaging the city, the fire department’s budget was further reduced by over $17 million in the 2024-2025 budget. Mayor Bass initially proposed an even deeper cut of $23 million.
Meanwhile, the homelessness budget was also reduced but remained larger than the fire department’s allocation. The city is currently battling four wildfires, which have destroyed homes and businesses and forced thousands to evacuate.
Critics argue that the budget cuts to the fire department have compromised the city’s ability to respond effectively to wildfires. The city’s ongoing insurance crisis, caused by the high costs associated with wildfire losses, further compounds the situation.