Poll Shows 41% Disapprove of Mayor Bass' Wildfire Response

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing significant criticism over her response to the January wildfires, as a recent UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll revealed that over 40% of residents rated her handling of the situation as 'poor or very poor.' Only 19% of those surveyed believed she performed 'excellent or good,' while 22% considered her response fair. Many residents expressed skepticism about her ability to lead the recovery process, with 54% indicating they had little confidence in her leadership. The backlash stems partly from her being out of the country during the initial phases of the emergency and questions surrounding resource allocation for the fire department. In response, Bass's office highlighted progress in recovery efforts, including early restoration of power and debris removal. Amidst this turmoil, a recall effort has been initiated against her, requiring 330,000 signatures for validation.