Karen Bass

Force in Play

Facing intensifying scrutiny over after-action report modifications and budget decisions; political position increasingly precarious

On January 7, 2025, two wildfires exploded across Los Angeles County with unprecedented speed. The Palisades Fire in the Santa Monica Mountains and the Eaton Fire in Altadena spread at the rate of three football fields per minute, driven by Santa Ana winds gusting to 100 mph. Within hours, 200,000 people fled their homes. The fires killed at least 31 people directly, with researchers estimating 440 total deaths including those from heart and lung conditions aggravated by smoke and stress. By the time containment came 24 days later, 16,000 structures were destroyed and $150 billion in losses tallied—making it the costliest disaster in U.S. history.

Updated May 19

Rule Changes

First term, in office since 2022

California raised its minimum wage to $16.90 on January 1, 2026, and closed the loophole on its failed 2014 plastic bag ban. These are the latest moves in a decades-long experiment testing whether aggressive regulation can coexist with economic growth.

Updated May 19

Force in Play

Managing city emergency operations and coordinating evacuations in burn scar areas

A Christmas Day atmospheric river dumped up to 12 inches of rain on Southern California's mountains, triggering mudslides that buried roads in Wrightwood and forced helicopter rescues from rooftops. More than 120 emergency responders rescued residents trapped in vehicles and homes overnight Christmas Eve.

Updated May 16