Los Angeles Fire Trucks Idle Amid Wildfires

As wildfires rage through Los Angeles, over 100 fire trucks are out of commission due to budget cuts that have severely impacted the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). Fire Chief Kristin Crowley confirmed that the department's budget was slashed by $17 million, leading to a shortage of mechanics and maintenance personnel, which has left vital firefighting resources idly parked in a repair facility. The LAFD's fleet consists of 183 trucks, meaning more than half are currently inactive, hampering the department's ability to respond effectively to the ongoing crisis. With more than 12,300 structures destroyed and at least 24 fatalities reported, the urgency for adequate firefighting resources has never been greater. Residents are expressing frustration with Mayor Karen Bass, with a recall petition gathering over 135,000 signatures due to the perceived neglect of public safety. The LAFD has made requests for funding to replace aging equipment and restore essential maintenance positions to improve their emergency response capabilities.