Los Angeles is burning, and my heart genuinely goes out to those who’ve lost everything. Forget politics for a second—good people are hurting, and they need our support. But here’s the thing: we can’t ignore the reasons behind this disaster. We’ll never fix the problem if we don’t face it head-on. So, let’s break it down.
Homeless Encampments: A Ticking Time Bomb
I've spent years reporting on the Homeless problem in California, and the number of fires in homeless encampments has doubled since 2020. Last year, L.A. saw a jaw-dropping 13,909 encampment fires. Compare that to just seven fires back in 2018. Meanwhile, California has poured $24 billion—yeah, billion—into solving homelessness, and as usual, you get more of what you subsidize. To make matters worse, most of that cash is unaccounted for. Seriously, where did it go? According to CBS, by 2021, 80% of L.A.’s fire outbreaks were tied to encampments.
Nature Mismanagement: Playing with Fire
California’s “let nature be” crowd won’t even let you trim a branch, but here’s the deal: fire is part of nature’s cycle. If we don’t clean up dry brush and dead trees, nature’s gonna handle it with wildfires. Trump called this out back in 2019, but Newsom didn’t listen. And now we’re paying the price.
Oh, and let’s not forget the Santa Ana winds. They’re blowing at nearly 100 mph this year, turning the whole region into a giant tinderbox. But what do officials blame? Climate change. Let’s unpack that.
Blame Game: Climate Change or Bad Policy?
Whenever something goes wrong, California’s leaders cry “climate change.” But hang on—this year’s winds aren’t even close to the record. In 2011, gusts hit 167 mph. And this winter? Not the driest. That record goes back to the late 1800s. Newsflash: Southern California is a desert. Always has been.
Instead of addressing water mismanagement, L.A. imports water from hundreds of miles away, forcing upstream communities to ration theirs. Meanwhile, the rich in San Francisco and L.A. water their massive lawns and lecture the rest of us about conservation. Hypocrisy much?
Firefighters Spread Thin
L.A. doesn’t even have enough firefighters to tackle these blazes. Mayor Karen Bass (yes, her name is Karen) cut the fire department’s budget by $18 million. And instead of using the remaining funds to hire and train more people, they launched a “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Bureau.” Because, you know, flames care about workplace equity.
They also fired firefighters who didn’t get vaccinated. Great timing, right? And here’s the kicker: in 2022, L.A. donated extra firefighting gear to Ukraine. Now they’re scrambling for resources. You can’t make this stuff up.
Insurance Nightmares
As if things couldn’t get worse, many Californians are losing their fire insurance. Homeowners who’ve had policies for decades are getting dropped because the wildfire risk is too high. Why? All the reasons we just covered. And California’s overbearing regulations are driving insurers out of the market. Brilliant.
Sanctuary Cities: Billions Spent on the Wrong Priorities
While California burns, the state is spending billions to coddle and attract illegal migrants. Sanctuary cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco have become havens, offering free healthcare, education, and housing assistance to undocumented immigrants. All this while essential services like fire protection and water management are underfunded and mismanaged. Imagine redirecting those billions to actually fix the state’s infrastructure and protect its residents. But no—California’s leadership prefers virtue signaling over real solutions.
Leadership Matters
This mess is the result of poor leadership, plain and simple. Bad policies, misplaced priorities, and a refusal to take responsibility have left Californians vulnerable. If we don’t demand better from our leaders, this will keep happening. Elections have consequences, folks. It’s time to wake up.
