Cabot Phillips

At the moment, though, most resources are being devoted to actually stopping the fire, so recovery efforts, as you can imagine, are taking a bit more of a backseat. By Sunday, the largest blaze, the Palisades Fire, continued to burn in It was just 11% contained. In the Eden fire, the second largest was just 27% contained.

At the moment, though, most resources are being devoted to actually stopping the fire, so recovery efforts, as you can imagine, are taking a bit more of a backseat. By Sunday, the largest blaze, the Palisades Fire, continued to burn in It was just 11% contained. In the Eden fire, the second largest was just 27% contained.

Meteorologists warn that strong Santa Ana winds are likely to return Tuesday. They're expecting gusts up to 60 miles per hour, which obviously could exacerbate the problem even further.

Meteorologists warn that strong Santa Ana winds are likely to return Tuesday. They're expecting gusts up to 60 miles per hour, which obviously could exacerbate the problem even further.

Yeah, the LAPD continues to make dozens of arrests related to looting. A number of residents have posted just shocking videos showing what they say are organized gangs of burglars posing as residents, ransacking abandoned homes in a number of luxury neighborhoods. Police even arrested two men who were... Get this, dressed as firefighters, but burglarizing properties.

Yeah, the LAPD continues to make dozens of arrests related to looting. A number of residents have posted just shocking videos showing what they say are organized gangs of burglars posing as residents, ransacking abandoned homes in a number of luxury neighborhoods. Police even arrested two men who were... Get this, dressed as firefighters, but burglarizing properties.

And in perhaps the most infuriating case, a group of apparent looters broke into an Army Reserve warehouse in Santa Ana, stealing three Humvees machine gun mounts and other gear like bayonets and binoculars. Meanwhile, investigators continue to probe the location where the fires first broke out, looking for signs of arson.

And in perhaps the most infuriating case, a group of apparent looters broke into an Army Reserve warehouse in Santa Ana, stealing three Humvees machine gun mounts and other gear like bayonets and binoculars. Meanwhile, investigators continue to probe the location where the fires first broke out, looking for signs of arson.

Democratic Mayor Karen Bass did direct $17 million in cuts for the fire department's overall budget. That was the second largest cut for any department in the city, while simultaneously reallocating tens of millions of dollars towards programs for LA's growing homeless population.

Democratic Mayor Karen Bass did direct $17 million in cuts for the fire department's overall budget. That was the second largest cut for any department in the city, while simultaneously reallocating tens of millions of dollars towards programs for LA's growing homeless population.

In response, last month, LA Fire Chief Kristen Crowley sent a memo to the city warning that those budget cuts were already impacting her department's ability to respond to emergencies and also their preparedness for wildfires. In Crowley's words, the budget cuts had, quote, severely limited the department's capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies.

In response, last month, LA Fire Chief Kristen Crowley sent a memo to the city warning that those budget cuts were already impacting her department's ability to respond to emergencies and also their preparedness for wildfires. In Crowley's words, the budget cuts had, quote, severely limited the department's capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies.

For example, she said a $7 million reduction in overtime pay had reduced the amount of hours spent on brush clearance and residential inspections over the last few months. For her part, though, Mayor Bass this weekend strongly denied that the budget cuts had any impact on the fire response.

For example, she said a $7 million reduction in overtime pay had reduced the amount of hours spent on brush clearance and residential inspections over the last few months. For her part, though, Mayor Bass this weekend strongly denied that the budget cuts had any impact on the fire response.

But LA's fire chief herself came out Saturday in an interview with Fox 11 and reiterated that budget cuts did indeed impact her department's preparedness and response to these latest fires.

But LA's fire chief herself came out Saturday in an interview with Fox 11 and reiterated that budget cuts did indeed impact her department's preparedness and response to these latest fires.

For his part, President Trump issued a statement on Truth Social saying, quote, the fires are still raging in LA. The incompetent polls have no idea how to put them out. Thousands of magnificent houses are gone and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place. They just can't put out the fires. What is wrong with them?

For his part, President Trump issued a statement on Truth Social saying, quote, the fires are still raging in LA. The incompetent polls have no idea how to put them out. Thousands of magnificent houses are gone and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place. They just can't put out the fires. What is wrong with them?

California officials, including Governor Newsom, have invited Trump to visit the city and tour the damage for himself.

California officials, including Governor Newsom, have invited Trump to visit the city and tour the damage for himself.