Employee raises and other expenses are expanding the Los Angeles Fire Department's budget. At the same time, the agency has had to scale back operations in recent months.

Corruption is ingrained in Los Angeles,” said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, a non-profit public interest group.

Bass is not the only person to be widely criticized for their response to the California wildfires, with Governor Gavin Newsom also in the spotlight.

Since Mayor Bass returned to LA, she has thanked the LAFD for their service and announced that the fires have been "fully contained."

Bass has faced widespread outrage over her whereabouts after returning to Los Angeles from Ghana on Wednesday, 24 hours after fires ignited.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ deputy mayor — whose purview included oversight of the city’s fire department — was placed on administrative leave last month after the FBI

Rick Caruso, the billionaire real-estate developer who lost the mayoral race to Bass, now leads the charge against her.

California voters have had the power to recall elected officials. It was meant for a time like this, when “indolent” and incompetent leaders are failing. The recall allowed citizens to quickly remove an officeholder and vote in a replacement at the same time.

The mayor's office told Newsweek on Friday that "The priority remains fighting these fires and protecting Angelenos."

The Los Angeles Fire Department refuted speculation that its chief, Kristin Crowley, had been dismissed as crews continue to battle the wildfires across the region.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass repeatedly dodged questions about her leadership and alleged lack of initial presence during the ongoing wildfires affecting the area.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) is facing mounting backlash over her response to the wildfires that have torn through her city, raising questions about her own political future as the region continues to struggle to contain the fires.