Employee raises and other expenses are expanding the Los Angeles Fire Department's budget. At the same time, the agency has had to scale back operations in recent months.

Since Mayor Bass returned to LA, she has thanked the LAFD for their service and announced that the fires have been "fully contained."

Bass is not the only person to be widely criticized for their response to the California wildfires, with Governor Gavin Newsom also in the spotlight.

Rick Caruso, the billionaire real-estate developer who lost the mayoral race to Bass, now leads the charge against her.

Bass has faced widespread outrage over her whereabouts after returning to Los Angeles from Ghana on Wednesday, 24 hours after fires ignited.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ deputy mayor — whose purview included oversight of the city’s fire department — was placed on administrative leave last month after the FBI

The Los Angeles Fire Department rebutted speculation that its chief, Kristin Crowley, had been dismissed as crews continue to battle the wildfires across the region.

Over 125,000 sign a petition demanding Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass resign, citing mismanagement of the city's wildfire crisis.

Since 1911, California voters have had the power to recall elected officials. It was meant for a time like this, when “indolent” and incompetent leaders are failing. The recall allowed citizens to quickly remove an officeholder and vote in a replacement at the same time.

causing the city to move funds intended for fire department pay into the general fund. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass poses for a photo during an interview at Los Angeles City Hall on Oct. 17 ...

During the closing monologue of HBO’s "Real Time," host Bill Maher trashed the government for how they’re handling the wildfires that are ravaging Los Angeles.