Leaked Memo Exposes LA Mayor Karen Bass’s $49 Million Fire Department Budget Cut Demand Before Wildfires

A leaked memo has revealed that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass demanded the Fire Department slash an additional $49 million from its budget, just days before a series of devastating wildfires broke out across the city. The proposed cuts, which were on top of $17.6 million in reductions already included in her latest budget, sparked outrage among firefighters, who warned of crippling consequences for emergency response capabilities.

According to the memo, dated January 6 just one day before the Palisades Fire erupted Mayor Bass’s demand could have resulted in the closure of 16 fire stations. This would have severely undermined the Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LAFD) ability to handle emergencies. The memo was leaked by a whistleblower known as “LAFD Watchdog,” who shared it on social media.

The document detailed ongoing financial constraints, stating that achieving the cost savings required by City Hall might necessitate closing one fire station per City Council District. While the closures were described as a “worst-case scenario,” the timing of the demand has drawn intense criticism.

Just days later, wildfires swept through over 54 square miles, destroying more than 4,000 homes and buildings, and leaving ten dead and many others injured. The Pacific Palisades neighborhood, home to many wealthy residents and celebrities, was nearly obliterated. Check our YouTube channel for more updates

Sources close to the LAFD described worsening morale within the department. Firefighters have already been operating under extreme constraints, with limited resources, aging equipment, and a reduction in training opportunities. “We’re already shy 200 paramedics, and another 200 could quit soon because the conditions are unsustainable,” one firefighter lamented.

The budget cuts, aimed at reallocating funds to address homelessness, have left many firefighters feeling betrayed.

“We’ve already exhausted our budget,” another source explained. “We’re doing everything we can to save money, but cutting stations and personnel in wildfire season is beyond reckless.”

Mayor Bass’s office has yet to provide a detailed response to the backlash. However, critics argue that prioritizing fiscal austerity over public safety puts lives and property at risk, particularly in a city increasingly vulnerable to wildfires.