Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated Tuesday that she was unaware of warnings about extreme winds ahead of the Palisades Fire on January 7, despite having shared those same warnings on her official X account a day earlier.

Bass made the claim during her first television interview since the fire, speaking with Elex Michaelson of Los Angeles-area Fox affiliate KTTV-11.

The mayor left the country for Ghana before the fire broke out and was overseas when the disaster struck. She now acknowledges that decision as a “mistake.”

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During the interview, Bass placed blame on Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Chief Kristin Crowley, asserting that she had not been notified about the potential for a disaster.

Bass implied that Crowley had failed to prepare the city as had been done in previous emergency situations. The remarks follow earlier tensions between the mayor and fire department leadership over response efforts.

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Despite distancing herself from responsibility for the preparedness and response, Bass had personally posted about the high-wind warnings on January 6, raising questions about her claims of being unaware of the potential danger.

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On Tuesday, Bass highlighted progress in the fire cleanup, noting that the first home in Pacific Palisades had been completely cleared of debris.

However, she acknowledged that the full rebuilding process would take significantly longer, estimating that it could take three to five years for the community to fully recover.

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That timeline stretches well beyond her current term as Mayor of Los Angeles.

The Palisades Fire caused widespread destruction and raised concerns over the city’s preparedness for extreme weather conditions.

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The disaster has also fueled criticism of Bass’s handling of emergency response efforts, as well as her decision to leave the country despite warnings of severe winds in the area.

The fire and its aftermath continue to be a major issue for the city, with residents and officials questioning whether better preparation could have mitigated the damage.

Bass’s latest remarks add to the controversy, as she faces scrutiny over both her absence and her shifting explanations regarding the city’s response to the disaster.

As Los Angeles moves into the lengthy rebuilding process, questions remain about the administration’s handling of emergency preparedness and communication, particularly when key officials are unavailable during major crises.

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