Thank you for your concern and support during this incredibly challenging time. Many of you have reached out, and we deeply appreciate your care. Unfortunately, misinformation is circulating about the fires in Los Angeles, and we want to take a moment to address some key falsehoods so we can focus on supporting our community and those affected.
• LAFD Budget: Contrary to claims, the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget was increased this year, not decreased. Our firefighters are well-resourced and working heroically to protect lives and property.
• Water to Fight Palisades Fires: The notion that there is no water available to fight fires in the Palisades (and elsewhere) is false. Firefighting efforts are fully supported by water resources, and crews are making extraordinary efforts under difficult conditions. Water reserves hold millions of gallons, but during fires, the system faces strain as hundreds of fire engines draw from hydrants simultaneously. Infrastructure limits, such as pipe capacity and reduced pump efficiency during power outages, combined with homeowner usage, can temporarily overtax the system. This is not a mystery, but a challenge of managing finite resources under extreme conditions.
• The Wind: A Cat 1 Hurricane is 74 to 95 miles per hour. We had 100mph winds. First responders are fighting a wildfire in a Cat 1 Hurricane. Think about that for a minute.
• Mayor Karen Bass: Mayor Bass was on an official government trip to Ghana when the fires began but returned immediately on a military flight (I don’t know why it’s a shock to some that mayors take international trips as part of their jobs - particularly one from the 2nd largest city in the US. It’s a real normal thing). She remained in constant communication throughout and has been fully engaged in coordinating the city’s response.
• Trump’s Claims About Newsom: The so-called “water restoration declaration” criticized by former President Trump is a fabricated claim. There is no such policy or declaration, and it has no bearing on the current crisis.
We are incredibly grateful for the steadfast leadership of Mayor Bass, Governor Newsom, and the immediate, full support of the Biden-Harris administration. They have been instrumental in helping Los Angeles navigate this crisis.
Right now, we are breathing terrible air, and many in our community are experiencing significant distress and trauma. Our friends and neighbors are losing their homes, and our city is in great pain. Yet, we are heartened by the strength of our community. This is a time for unity, and we are proud of how Angelenos are coming together to support one another.
People love to criticize our great city and state, but we wouldn’t trade it for anything. We love this land of misfits, weirdos, dreamers, and forward thinkers—home to the 5th largest economy in the world. California is a place of innovation, resilience, and boundless creativity, and it’s worth fighting for, no matter the challenges we face.
Please know we are okay (for now) and appreciate your concern. However, we ask for your help in not amplifying false claims from right-wing media or social media, which only detract from the real work of supporting our first responders and those affected.
In the coming days, we will share resources for donations if you’d like to support those impacted by the fires.
Thank you for your love, understanding, and solidarity.
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