Los Angeles devastating wildfires: Letters to the Editor Jan. 11, 2025

The Issue: The government’s management of the historic wildfires raging across Los Angeles.I am one of the lucky ones, now “only” dealing with horrific smoke (“California Reaming,” Jan.10).We did have a tremendous scare Thursday when the West Hills fire broke out, close enough for us to panic and pack up our belongings.It is obscene that Gov.

Gavin Newsom, who was warned multiple times years ago about the lack of fire preparedness, especially as far as water reserves, is tossing the blame to “the locals.”The buck stops with well-coiffed Newsom and our newly elected mayor.The recovery, if one can even call it that, will be an untenable task, but the people better speak at the polls next round.Amy HendelTarzana, Calif.The fires of Los Angeles are partially a result of Democrats’ policies (“LA’s Cursed ‘Leadership,’ ” Jan.

10).Mayor Karen Bass oversaw a cut in funding for the Fire Department.Perhaps this was because she was spending money on the growing homeless problem.The Port of Los Angeles received a $412 million federal grant to support zero-emission initiatives — which should have been spent on water and the Fire Department.

The enormous emissions of these fires might have been preventable.Gamaliel IsaacManhattanTo Mayor Karen Bass: Thank you for traveling to Africa and placing a priority on your trip in light of the current fire disasters — while remaining silent when asked questions about the fires by a journalist.Also, thanks for supporting a $17.6 million cut to the LA Fire Department.To the US Forest Service: Thank you for maintaining outdated forestry practices.We owe the current fire destruction, in part, to you.

Steven A.FontanaAliso Viejo, Calif.Is it the press’ job to report the news, or is it to report whatever President-elect Trump says verbatim, without properly vetting the statements (“Don dig at Newsom,” Jan.

9)?LA is burning, and Trump is blaming the disaster on Newsom protecting an endangered fish.Is th...