Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles Area, Fueling Political Conflict and Social Inequality
Intense wildfires in Los Angeles have resulted in fatalities and property destruction, intensifying political disputes and highlighting social inequalities in affected communities.
The higher-than-average incomes of people forced to leave their homes there appear to have tempted opportunists, who see a chance to make money from others' misery.
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Schiff wants a more comprehensive review.
Schiff Calls for Independent Commission to Investigate Wildfire Response
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Bass said she's "not worried" about any supposed animosity between Trump and local officials and said she has been in communication with his team.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass 'not worried' about supposed 'animosity' between Trump and California
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Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, said on Sunday the fires would be the worst natural disaster in US history, "in terms of just the costs associated with it, in terms of the scale and scope".
LA wildfires: stronger winds threaten further destruction, officials warn
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Scenes of devastation have replaced what was once a thriving middle and working class community in Altadena. In a matter of days, thousands have lost their homes.
Altadena, small LA-area town, decimated by Eaton Fire
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Firefighters scrambled Sunday to make further progress against wildfires that have killed 16 people in the Los Angeles area as forecasters again warned of dangerous weather with the return of strong winds this week.
16 Dead, 16 Missing As Fire Crews Try To Corral Los Angeles Blazes Before Winds Return This Week
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However, President-elect Trump remained largely critical of Biden and other Democratic leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and Mayor Karen Bass (D), accusing them of a lack of preparation leading up to the disaster.
Live updates: Trump blasts ‘incompetent’ officials, FEMA admin says fires shouldn’t be politicized
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Newsom has called for an independent investigation into the dry fire hydrants that hamstrung first responders and said he intends to pursue significant reforms.
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Firefighters are bracing for more Santa Ana winds as they continue to battle multiple fires in Los Angeles that have left several people dead and burned thousands of structures.
L.A. is bracing for the return of more powerful winds as fires continue to burn
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom told NBC News that the Los Angeles-area wildfires will be one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history and called for an independent investigation into the local water supply.
Newsom says California wildfires will be one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history
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The California government’s failure to control the blazes has caused many, including the president-elect, to question the state’s preparedness for such events.
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Newsom has vowed an independent investigation and extended an invite to Trump to tour the damage.
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But experts said those plans would not have affected the fire response.
Fact check: LA fires drive falsehoods, including by Trump about water use
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But a drive through the charred neighborhoods around Altadena shows that the fires also burned through a remarkable haven for generations of Black families avoiding discriminatory housing practices elsewhere. They have been communities of racial and economic diversity, where many people own their own homes.
The California wildfires could be leaving deeper inequality in their wake
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I think we should go further and, frankly, do an independent commission review of all of this.
Schiff Calls for 'Independent Commission' to Investigate CA Wildfire Response
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"He's done it in Utah. He's done it in Michigan, did it in Puerto Rico. He did it to California back before I was even governor, in 2018," Newsom said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom slams Trump's disinformation about California wildfires
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High winds and dry conditions pose a significant threat to life and property as they create an ideal environment for wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly.
LA wildfires update: Critical fire risk threatens California for days
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"But one thing I won’t give into is delay. Delay is denial for people: lives, traditions, places torn apart, torn asunder."
Newsom suspends landmark environmental laws to ease rebuilding in wildfire zones
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The California wildfires could be leaving deeper inequality in their wake
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Trump continued to assail the "incompetent pols" of Los Angeles and California for the "apocalyptic" wildfires that are taking lives and destroying homes.
Trump: Calif.'s 'Incompetent Pols' to Blame for 'Death, Catastrophe'
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Newsom's governorship of the Golden State began as an early referendum on Trump’s leadership.
Trump and Newsom are feuding over LA wildfires. It's nothing new
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“In the spirit of this great country, we must not politicize human tragedy or spread disinformation from the sidelines.”
As Trump blames Democrats for wildfires, Newsom invites him to see the damage firsthand
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These fires have hit densely populated areas and destroyed entire neighborhoods.
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Summary
Intense wildfires in Los Angeles have caused at least 16 fatalities and significant property loss. President Biden pledged federal assistance, while Governor Newsom urged political unity. The fires have devastated the historically diverse Altadena community, which now faces challenges in recovery amid fears of gentrification. Local leaders stress the urgent need for equitable disaster relief, while residents express concerns over their future in an area that has sustained generations of Black families. Degraded infrastructure, unsafe drinking water, and ongoing political conflict complicate recovery efforts as community members band together to rebuild.
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