Amanda Prestigiacomo

Right. As neighborhoods were burning down in Los Angeles, Mayor Bass was on a taxpayer-funded trip to the African nation of Ghana. Bass was there for the inauguration of Ghana's new president, and she didn't make it back to L.A. until Wednesday. In the airport, she was peppered with questions to which she did not respond.

Residents have said that they had very little notice, if any at all, and they're upset that Bass was MIA for so long. Here's one Pacific Palisades resident, Rachel Darvish, expressing some of that frustration on Fox News.

Residents have said that they had very little notice, if any at all, and they're upset that Bass was MIA for so long. Here's one Pacific Palisades resident, Rachel Darvish, expressing some of that frustration on Fox News.

Bass is also taking flak for cutting the fire department's budget by more than $17 million, which is actually a more modest cut than the $23 million the Democrat initially wanted to ax. Bass signed off on that budget just months ago, so the timing is particularly bad. Hmm.

Bass is also taking flak for cutting the fire department's budget by more than $17 million, which is actually a more modest cut than the $23 million the Democrat initially wanted to ax. Bass signed off on that budget just months ago, so the timing is particularly bad. Hmm.

Businessman Rick Caruso, a Democrat who narrowly lost the 2022 mayoral race, said that firefighters' hands are tied by leadership. And he specifically noted that fire hydrants in the area are bone dry. Caruso was one of those criticizing Bass for being out of the country while this devastation raged on.

Businessman Rick Caruso, a Democrat who narrowly lost the 2022 mayoral race, said that firefighters' hands are tied by leadership. And he specifically noted that fire hydrants in the area are bone dry. Caruso was one of those criticizing Bass for being out of the country while this devastation raged on.

Governor Newsom is also taking criticism specifically for the lack of water to fight these fires. One of California's top water supply systems has been heavily regulated to appease environmentalists who are worried about two specific fish populations. Now, Donald Trump, when he was president back in 2019, he tried to pump more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, but was stonewalled.

Governor Newsom is also taking criticism specifically for the lack of water to fight these fires. One of California's top water supply systems has been heavily regulated to appease environmentalists who are worried about two specific fish populations. Now, Donald Trump, when he was president back in 2019, he tried to pump more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, but was stonewalled.

Here's the president-elect on the popular Joe Rogan podcast just three months ago.

Here's the president-elect on the popular Joe Rogan podcast just three months ago.

Trump battled Newsom during his first term over these constant fires in California. In 2018, Trump threatened to withhold federal funds if Newsom didn't amp up forest management. He said at the time that billions of dollars were being given each year, yet lives were still being lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests.

Trump battled Newsom during his first term over these constant fires in California. In 2018, Trump threatened to withhold federal funds if Newsom didn't amp up forest management. He said at the time that billions of dollars were being given each year, yet lives were still being lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests.

Trump also said in a post on Wednesday that Newsom is to blame for this most recent devastation, calling it a true disaster.

Trump also said in a post on Wednesday that Newsom is to blame for this most recent devastation, calling it a true disaster.

Right, there's a major homeowners insurance crisis in California. Over the last three years, seven of the state's 12 biggest homeowner insurance companies have paused or limited their business in California due in part to state regulations. Companies, for example, have been blocked from raising their rates due to the increasing risks of wildfires, so instead they've chosen to leave the state.

Right, there's a major homeowners insurance crisis in California. Over the last three years, seven of the state's 12 biggest homeowner insurance companies have paused or limited their business in California due in part to state regulations. Companies, for example, have been blocked from raising their rates due to the increasing risks of wildfires, so instead they've chosen to leave the state.

Here's one woman in Pasadena speaking to an ABC News affiliate about her 90-year-old parents losing their coverage just before these fires.

Here's one woman in Pasadena speaking to an ABC News affiliate about her 90-year-old parents losing their coverage just before these fires.

You're welcome, John.