Fury Mounts Over Leadership Failures Amid Unprecedented Devastation in US

Driving towards Pacific Palisades, the epicenter of the Los Angeles wildfires, the scene is apocalyptic. Ash falls like snow, the air is thick with sulfur, and a red glow lights up the horizon. Opposite traffic lanes are clogged with vehicles as residents flee the inferno.

"My American friend can't believe it," one observer notes.

These fires are unprecedented, even by Los Angeles standards. At least 16 people have died, 29,000 acres of land and 10,000 structures have been destroyed, and economic damage is estimated at $57 billion. Over 180,000 people have been forced to evacuate.

The mood on the ground is a mixture of rage and grief, reminiscent of war-torn areas. Many believe this disaster was preventable.

Criticism is directed at LA Mayor Karen Bass, who was in Ghana when the fires began. When she returned, her press conference offered little reassurance, directing people to a non-existent "URL" for help.

"Ms. Bass is clearly out of her depth," residents say. Her budget cuts, including $17.6 million from the fire department, and a leaked memo revealing an additional $49 million cut, have fueled public outrage.

Another issue is the buildup of dried underbrush and unmanaged forests. Edward Ring of the California Policy Center blames environmentalist lawsuits for blocking necessary forest management practices. "This has increased forest density fivefold, turning them into tinderboxes," he explains.

Water shortages compounded the crisis. By early Wednesday, Janisse Quinones of the LA Department of Water and Power confirmed that water storage tanks were empty. Fire hydrants remained unused as the fire brigade struggled with insufficient water supply.

Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner acknowledged the water issues, stating, "We’re used to hydrants running dry." LA City Council member Traci Park added, "Chronic under-investment in public infrastructure has been evident."

Governor Gavin Newsom faces scrutiny for his management of California’s resources. Although he pledged better wildfire management, an investigation revealed only a fraction of the promised land was treated, and $150 million was cut from the wildfire prevention budget.

President-elect Donald Trump criticized Newsom for not signing a "water restoration declaration," which Newsom denies exists. The controversy centers on balancing environmental concerns with water management, particularly the impact on the delta smelt fish.

As the fires continue to burn, the demand for accountability grows louder, with leaders like Newsom and Bass under intense scrutiny for their roles in the crisis.