Los Angeles Mayor faces criticism for overseas trip, budget cuts as wildfires rage [Video]

As the most destructive fire in Los Angeles area history rages, Mayor Karen Bass faces criticism over the timing of an overseas trip and budget cuts made months ago that affected the city’s fire department.For a second consecutive day, L.A. residents awoke to an inferno that has claimed at least five lives and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes. Firefighters and first responders are struggling to contain five fast-moving wildfires that have scorched over 25,000 acres and destroyed nearly 2,000 homes, businesses and other structures.The Palisades Fire erupted around 10:30 a.m. PT on Jan. 7, while Bass was in Ghana attending the inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama as part of a U.S. presidential delegation. The trip, announced by the White House earlier this month, coincided with the fire’s rapid expansion, fueled by intense winds that temporarily prevented aerial firefighting efforts.The National Weather Service in Los Angeles had …