To the editor: The one factor that should occur now in response to the fires is the appointment of a wildfire czar. (“With her city in flames, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass’ political future hangs in the balance,” Jan. 13)
This individual would instantly arrange a central communication heart each in individual and on-line to interface with assist teams that present housing help, monetary steerage, meals and different requirements. This fashion, hearth victims wouldn’t must find all of the avenues of assist on their very own whereas coping with the emotional and psychological trauma of shedding their properties.
If solely widespread sense would prevail.
Louis J. Shapiro, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Blaming Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and different leaders is acceptable when this metropolis lacks the sturdy leaders wanted in a disaster. Now, everyone seems to be struggling. Management issues.
We already knew town and state had been mismanaged earlier than the fires, however to not this extent. I’ve no religion in Bass’ means nor that of the Metropolis Council to handle Los Angeles.
When working for workplace, Bass had to pay attention to the prevailing issues on this metropolis, but she didn’t appropriate them. I doubt this metropolis might be able to internet hosting the 2028 Olympics.
Richard Austen, Westchester
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To the editor: Having lived in L.A. for many years and in a state often known as a lot for its disasters as all of the spectacular causes we stay right here, I can say that none of us anticipated the apocalyptic scale of the fires.
Sure, we had ample warning earlier than the windstorm hit. However as we Angelenos do, we continued to “stay” our energetic existence. Nobody, professionally or politically, might anticipate how horrific these fires could be — the lives misplaced, the entire communities destroyed and far more.
Sure, Bass is the mayor of Los Angeles, and he or she was in Ghana in when the Palisades hearth began. However we live in 2025, not 1985. We are able to talk as if we’re subsequent door to one another, and even in the identical room.
Nobody might have anticipated this.
Pamela Shade, Culver Metropolis
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To the editor: I’m a retired hearth captain who for 38 years went up and down the state combating wildfires, together with some within the city interface. I’ve seen 1000’s of properties destroyed, however clearly nothing like these fires in and round Los Angeles.
In my expertise, probably the most damaging fires have one main element to them: the wind.
All these individuals pointing fingers ought to know this: It’s the wind, silly. After all, after each incident, there are classes to be realized.
I encourage everybody to go on YouTube and watch the documentary produced by the L.A. Hearth Division in 1962, “Design for Disaster.” In regards to the earlier yr’s Bel-Air hearth, the movie may be very informative.
Manuel Burquez, Carpinteria
