A review of last year's California state budget shows California Gov. Gavin Newsom cut funding for wildfire and forest resilience by more than $100 million.
The budget, signed in June and covering the 2024-25 fiscal year, eliminated $101 million from seven "wildfire and forest resilience" programs, according to a report from Newsweek.
The California fires, responsible for destroying more than 10,000 buildings in the Los Angeles area, are still not contained.
Cal Fire had a $5 million reduction in spending on fuel reduction teams, including funds used to pay for vegetation management work by the California National Guard, the report noted.
Other changes:
$28 million cut from multiple state conservancies that expand wildfire resilience
$12 million cut from a "home hardening" experiment that would protect homes from wildfires
$8 million cut from monitoring and research spending, mostly dedicated to Cal Fire and state universities
$4 million cut from the forest legacy program, which encourages landowners to manage their properties
$3 million cut from funding for an inter-agency forest data hub
Newsom's director of communications, Izzy Gardon, called the budget cuts a "ridiculous lie," in a statement to Fox News Digital Friday night.
"The governor has doubled the size of our firefighting army, built the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet and the state has increased the forest management ten-fold since he took office," she wrote. "Facts matter."
His office attached statistics that refer to the overall increase in spending and personnel over a number of years since he took office in 2019, as opposed to commenting on the most recent cuts.
Cal Fire did not immediately respond to a request for comment as of 8 p.m. Friday.
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brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,522
edited January 15
.
Post edited by brianlux on
"Pretty cookies, heart squares all around, yeah!" -Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
"Try to not spook the horse."
-Neil Young
0
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,522
edited January 15
.
Post edited by brianlux on
"Pretty cookies, heart squares all around, yeah!" -Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
0
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,522
edited January 15
.
Post edited by brianlux on
"Pretty cookies, heart squares all around, yeah!" -Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
"Try to not spook the horse."
-Neil Young
0
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,522
edited January 12
Sounds like the area will be hit with more wind early in the coming week, but at least not as strong as when this all started. Let's hope good progress in made between now and then.
"Pretty cookies, heart squares all around, yeah!" -Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
I feel so devastated for all these people who lost so much. Because of all this, obviously, I had a really vivid nightmare last night about my home burning up, and I completely flipped my lid in the dream because I had lost all my legal documents, all my other belongings, and then i realized I'd also lost my record collection, and seriously lost my shit..... that really sucked, and then i woke up and after awhile realized how lucky I am that it isn't a reality. Then it made me feel sick that so many people are actually feeling that way in real life x a million. Motherfucker.
And that story about the amputee dad next to the bed of his cerebral palsy son, both dead in the fire, fucking destroys me. As well as all the others. So horrific. Omg.
And btw, these looters i keep hearing about need to ROT IN HELL.
PS - apparently Trump is ignoring pleas to visit or comment, and he's refusing. He also needs to ROT IN HELL
Post edited by PJ_Soul on
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
0
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,522
edited January 15
.
Post edited by brianlux on
"Pretty cookies, heart squares all around, yeah!" -Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
What's the homelessness like in the LA areas that are impacted with wildfire? Do people experiencing homelessness just roll their carts on down the road? I mean I'm guessing the area with all the celebrities had a gate to keep them out but what about the other parts of California? Are there more services for them now?
0
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,522
What's the homelessness like in the LA areas that are impacted with wildfire? Do people experiencing homelessness just roll their carts on down the road? I mean I'm guessing the area with all the celebrities had a gate to keep them out but what about the other parts of California? Are there more services for them now?
I don't live in that part of the state, so I can't say for sure, but I'm almost certain most of the neighborhoods that lost so many homes were not gated communities. I would guess the homeless populations in Palisades and Altadena are probably fairly low compared to other parts of the great L.A. area.
Good questions though. I haven't heard anything about how the fires have affected the homeless.
"Pretty cookies, heart squares all around, yeah!" -Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
I feel so devastated for all these people who lost so much. Because of all this, obviously, I had a really vivid nightmare last night about my home burning up, and I completely flipped my lid in the dream because I had lost all my legal documents, all my other belongings, and then i realized I'd also lost my record collection, and seriously lost my shit..... that really sucked, and then i woke up and after awhile realized how lucky I am that it isn't a reality. Then it made me feel sick that so many people are actually feeling that way in real life x a million. Motherfucker.
And that story about the amputee dad next to the bed of his cerebral palsy son, both dead in the fire, fucking destroys me. As well as all the others. So horrific. Omg.
And btw, these looters i keep hearing about need to ROT IN HELL.
PS - apparently Trump is ignoring pleas to visit or comment, and he's refusing. He also needs to ROT IN HELL
People are perpetuating a lie when they state that "PS - apparently Trump is ignoring pleas to visit or comment, and he's refusing."
I live in the San Francisco area and earlier this morning watched a live press conference by L.A.'s mayor and other officials on TV in which they disputed this spurious story. I've attached the freshly published online news story.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass pushed back against questions about any "animosity" between the incoming Trump administration and California that could hamper efforts to battle the multiple wildfires raging in Los Angeles County.
Trump has heavily criticized leaders in Los Angeles and California over the response to the wildfires, saying the city and state were woefully unprepared.
On Sunday, 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.
Trump on Sunday posted on Truth Social that "incompetent polls" have no idea how to put out the L.A. wildfires. He had previously accused California Gov. Gavin Newsom of caring more about protecting an endangered fish species than protecting the state's residents from wildfires.
The incoming president has long railed against Democrats in California for limiting the availability of water for Californians that comes from the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers in the northern part of the state.
Newsom and Los Angeles County supervisor Kathryn Barger have both extended separate invitations to Trump for him to visit the region to see the devastation the fires have caused.
"I joined in the invitation to the incoming president to come to Los Angeles," Bass said during Sunday's press update on the firefighting efforts. "I joined with the supervisor, and the governor and spoke directly with the incoming administration yesterday. It was a fine call."
She added, "There are also, as I mentioned before, a number of my former colleagues who are up for confirmation. I feel like I will have good relations there."
Bass and Barger said they believe Trump will visit the area.
"I will say, knowing what I know, and I represent Altadena, which is probably the most diverse, community, that in the fifth district, this is the exact constituency that he was talking to," said Barger. "You got socioeconomics from all walks of life, and they are suffering. So I am confident that this president will come."
The mayor also took issue with questions about the supposed lack of communication between the city and the incoming Trump administration.
"There isn't a lack of communication between the city of Los Angeles and the incoming Trump administration," she said. "I have spoken with representatives of the incoming administration. I'll be talking more about that in the coming days."
Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.
0
brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,522
edited January 15
.
Post edited by brianlux on
"Pretty cookies, heart squares all around, yeah!" -Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
What's the homelessness like in the LA areas that are impacted with wildfire? Do people experiencing homelessness just roll their carts on down the road? I mean I'm guessing the area with all the celebrities had a gate to keep them out but what about the other parts of California? Are there more services for them now?
In answer to your question, there are many services for the homeless in California in general, and L.A. in particular. That may explain why California has one third of the country's homeless population!
As far as L.A., over the last two years more money has been budgeted for the homeless issue than for the L.A. Fire Dept.
Below is part of a recently published news story on this subject: By Breck DumasFOXBusiness
Los Angeles' budget is in the spotlight as multiple wildfires rage around the city amid revelations that Mayor Karen Bass slashed the fire department's budget last year while prioritizing spending on the city's homeless population.
For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Los Angeles budgeted $837 million for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), which was roughly 65% the size of the homeless budget of $1.3 billion.
An analysis by L.A.'s city comptroller last year found that roughly half the budget for homelessness went unspent.
From the 2023-2024 to the 2024-2025 budgets, the LAFD’s budget was reduced by over $17 million from $837,191,237 to $819,637,423.
Bass had proposed a larger budget cut to the LAFD, about $23 million, but it was not adopted.
FOX Business has reached out to Bass' office for comment on the reasoning behind the cuts.
The budget for homelessness was also reduced in the 2024-2025 budget, but remained larger than the LAFD budget.
As far as California as a whole is concerned, I've attached the following story from six months ago below:
California is now home to more than a third of the nation’s homeless population, despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) $24 billion bid to solve the crisis.
After a state audit revealed California failed to track more than $24 billion in taxpayer funds targeting homelessness, Newsom has faced criticism for his leadership on the issue. The report revealed that the California Interagency Council on Homelessness, the state agency that oversees homelessness, did not provide “accurate, complete, and comparable financial and outcome information from homelessness programs.” Cal ICH consists primarily of Newsom appointees.
Less than two weeks after the report broke, Newsom announced Cal ICH would administer another $200 million in grant funding to assist California cities and counties in moving homeless people from encampments into subsidized housing. At the time, Newsom seemed to sidestep criticism of Cal ICH’s failure to track funds, as he urged local leaders to provide greater oversight over funding.
“As the state provides unprecedented resources like this, we also expect accountability,” Newsom said in April. “Local governments must ensure this funding is being utilized on the ground.”
During his State of the State address last week, Newsom defended his efforts to reduce California’s homeless population.
“No state has done as much as California in addressing the pernicious problem of homelessness that too many politicians have ignored for too long,” he said. Newsom has ushered in a 60% budget increase over his tenure as governor. Since taking office in 2019, his state budget has increased from $201.4 billion to $454.7 billion in 2023.
Despite the Democratic governor’s efforts, homelessness has risen 53% in his state since 2013.
California’s largest city, Los Angeles, has seen a slight decline in its homeless population. After spending $250 million to address the issue, last week Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass celebrated a 2.2% overall decline in homelessness. Bass’s “Inside Safe” initiative was a push to reduce homeless encampments by transferring individuals to hotels. The taxpayer-funded program costs $17,009 per individual per month.
The Supreme Court’s recent ruling will have implications for how the Golden State chooses to approach homeless encampments. The court upheld an Oregon ban on homeless people sleeping outdoors, striking down a San Francisco court that ruled imposing criminal penalties on homeless encampments violated the Constitution.
Newsom celebrated the high court's decision, saying it gave state officials the "authority to implement and enforce policies to clear unsafe encampments from our streets."
So, those are the facts. I know a lot of people here don't like facts, but the public has a right - and a need - to know.
And, as far as who am I to speak on this subject?
I've been a voting California resident since 1975, when I hitchhiked from Ohio after graduating high school.
(Yes, I'm older than Eddie but younger than Boom! ha ha.)
I lived in beautiful Los Angeles for 16 years before moving to the San Francisco area, where I currently reside, in 1991.
I still have family in L.A., whom I visit often and am in constant contact with, as my brother lives just 3 miles from the fire zone.
I don't mean to be rude but... That them there's a lot of words So money makes the problem better and now fire is costing a lot of money so it'll be worse?
Also, thank you for your thoughtful reply information ☺️ Hope your brothers all right
I don't mean to be rude but... That them there's a lot of words So money makes the problem better and now fire is costing a lot of money so it'll be worse?
Also, thank you for your thoughtful reply information ☺️
Well, you asked important questions and I felt you deserved a thorough reply. So, the facts above show that the more California has spent on the homeless issue, the WORSE the problem has gotten. We California taxpayers WANT to solve the homeless issue, especially for our veterans, and we're pissed off that the powers that be are failing us all. And thank you for asking, Spunkie.
So then things should get better after the fire eats up all the money? I got that backwards. Also,.. hoping your brother is okay if you missed that. Welcome to the Golden age of fresh air tourism.
Well, I hope our BC wildfire services were able to help out.Our experts think we're five years plus from LA drought conditions. It's always nice to see the firefighying help offered from countries around the world.
What's the homelessness like in the LA areas that are impacted with wildfire? Do people experiencing homelessness just roll their carts on down the road? I mean I'm guessing the area with all the celebrities had a gate to keep them out but what about the other parts of California? Are there more services for them now?
In answer to your question, there are many services for the homeless in California in general, and L.A. in particular. That may explain why California has one third of the country's homeless population!
As far as L.A., over the last two years more money has been budgeted for the homeless issue than for the L.A. Fire Dept.
Below is part of a recently published news story on this subject: By Breck DumasFOXBusiness
Los Angeles' budget is in the spotlight as multiple wildfires rage around the city amid revelations that Mayor Karen Bass slashed the fire department's budget last year while prioritizing spending on the city's homeless population.
For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Los Angeles budgeted $837 million for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), which was roughly 65% the size of the homeless budget of $1.3 billion.
An analysis by L.A.'s city comptroller last year found that roughly half the budget for homelessness went unspent.
From the 2023-2024 to the 2024-2025 budgets, the LAFD’s budget was reduced by over $17 million from $837,191,237 to $819,637,423.
Bass had proposed a larger budget cut to the LAFD, about $23 million, but it was not adopted.
FOX Business has reached out to Bass' office for comment on the reasoning behind the cuts.
The budget for homelessness was also reduced in the 2024-2025 budget, but remained larger than the LAFD budget.
As far as California as a whole is concerned, I've attached the following story from six months ago below:
California is now home to more than a third of the nation’s homeless population, despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) $24 billion bid to solve the crisis.
After a state audit revealed California failed to track more than $24 billion in taxpayer funds targeting homelessness, Newsom has faced criticism for his leadership on the issue. The report revealed that the California Interagency Council on Homelessness, the state agency that oversees homelessness, did not provide “accurate, complete, and comparable financial and outcome information from homelessness programs.” Cal ICH consists primarily of Newsom appointees.
Less than two weeks after the report broke, Newsom announced Cal ICH would administer another $200 million in grant funding to assist California cities and counties in moving homeless people from encampments into subsidized housing. At the time, Newsom seemed to sidestep criticism of Cal ICH’s failure to track funds, as he urged local leaders to provide greater oversight over funding.
“As the state provides unprecedented resources like this, we also expect accountability,” Newsom said in April. “Local governments must ensure this funding is being utilized on the ground.”
During his State of the State address last week, Newsom defended his efforts to reduce California’s homeless population.
“No state has done as much as California in addressing the pernicious problem of homelessness that too many politicians have ignored for too long,” he said. Newsom has ushered in a 60% budget increase over his tenure as governor. Since taking office in 2019, his state budget has increased from $201.4 billion to $454.7 billion in 2023.
Despite the Democratic governor’s efforts, homelessness has risen 53% in his state since 2013.
California’s largest city, Los Angeles, has seen a slight decline in its homeless population. After spending $250 million to address the issue, last week Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass celebrated a 2.2% overall decline in homelessness. Bass’s “Inside Safe” initiative was a push to reduce homeless encampments by transferring individuals to hotels. The taxpayer-funded program costs $17,009 per individual per month.
The Supreme Court’s recent ruling will have implications for how the Golden State chooses to approach homeless encampments. The court upheld an Oregon ban on homeless people sleeping outdoors, striking down a San Francisco court that ruled imposing criminal penalties on homeless encampments violated the Constitution.
Newsom celebrated the high court's decision, saying it gave state officials the "authority to implement and enforce policies to clear unsafe encampments from our streets."
So, those are the facts. I know a lot of people here don't like facts, but the public has a right - and a need - to know.
And, as far as who am I to speak on this subject?
I've been a voting California resident since 1975, when I hitchhiked from Ohio after graduating high school.
(Yes, I'm older than Eddie but younger than Boom! ha ha.)
I lived in beautiful Los Angeles for 16 years before moving to the San Francisco area, where I currently reside, in 1991.
I still have family in L.A., whom I visit often and am in constant contact with, as my brother lives just 3 miles from the fire zone.
Los Angeles Fire Department budget sustained cuts but saw overall increase
Thousands of firefighters are battling the sprawling wildfires across LA. ByTomas Navia and Tonya Simpson January 11, 2025, 6:09 PM
6:02
Deadly wildfire devastation across LA as red flag warnings continueAn estimated 12,000 homes have burned as displaced families pour into shelters under evacuation orders and return to t...
Amidst confusion around budget cuts affecting the Los Angeles Fire Department while thousands of firefighters are battling at least five wildfires, ABC News dug into the city budgets and other publicly available documents for the city.
In May 2024, the city of Los Angeles adopted a Fiscal Year 2024 - 2025 budget that cut the appropriations for the fire department by $17.6 million from the previous year.
At the time, the city of Los Angeles was negotiating the union contract with the firefighters' union, the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City. A firefighter sprays water in a burned house following the Palisades Fire at the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, Jan. 10, 2025. Mike Blake/Reuters
On Nov. 5, the City Council voted to approve a union contract for 2024 - 2028. A report that was sent to the city a day prior outlined the fiscal impact of the contract and stated that it would cost approximately $76 million in the 2024 - 2025 fiscal year. This was to increase salaries and benefits for union members. MORE: Help for Southern California wildfire victims: Where to find food and care resources
On Dec. 17, 2024, the LA Fire Commission sent a report to Mayor Karen Bass by Fire Chief Kristin Crowley. In it, Crowley stated that the department is facing "unprecedented operational challenges due to the elimination of critical civilian positions and a $7 million reduction" in overtime hours. A firefighter sprays water in a burned house following the Palisades Fire at the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, Jan. 10, 2025. Mike Blake/Reuters
With the new contract approved, the budget for the fire department in Fiscal Year 2024 - 2025 increased from $819.6 million to $895.6 million. When compared to the previous year's budget (Fiscal Year 2023 - 2024), this current year's fire department budget in total is larger by $58.4 million. According to a document from the city administrative officer, the increase in this year's budget was approved specifically to meet salary and benefit increases included in the new union contract. MORE: California wildfires can take mental health toll on residents, firefighters In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, burned homes are seen from above during the Palisades fire in Malibu, Los Angeles County, Calif., Jan. 9, 2025. Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
In an interview with a local FOX station on Friday, Crowley responded after being repeatedly asked if the city failed her and her department, she said “yes,” echoing her letter to the mayor from December.
"My number one priority has been and will continue to be, that our firefighters get what they need, so that they can serve the community. That is number one. I'm going to turn down the noise when it comes to any type of criticism, because every decision that I make is going to be based off of what my firefighters need," Crowley said.
At least 11 people are believed to be dead -- with the Los Angeles County sheriff saying he expects that number to rise -- as devastating fires spread across Southern California amid dry and windy conditions.The largest blaze, the Palisades Fire, in Pacific Palisades, has scorched over 22,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures and is 11% contained. The Eaton Fire, in Altadena, now stands at more than 14,000 acres and 15% contained. More than 150,000 people are under evacuation orders.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
So then things should get better after the fire eats up all the money? I got that backwards. Also,.. hoping your brother is okay if you missed that. Welcome to the Golden age of fresh air tourism.
Well, I hope our BC wildfire services were able to help out.Our experts think we're five years plus from LA drought conditions. It's always nice to see the firefighying help offered from countries around the world.
Thanks, Spunkie, I'll let my brother know.
And yes, your Canadian firefighters and the two CL-415 Skimmer Airtankers they brought have been a HUGE help to us! Those Skimmers are gettting water right out of the Pacific Ocean and dumping it where it is needed to fight the fires! Thank you again for the help, Canada!
And, for the record, California's rainfall amounts for 2022-2024 were above average - no drought!
But ironically, that's a double-edged sword. The Winter and Spring rains encourage the undergrowth to grow, which looks green and beautiful on the mountain sides and forests. But, all that growth eventually dies over our hot Summers, turning brown and dry and becoming fuel for fire season. It's really frustrating living here sometimes, but worth it!
So far this year, we're above average on rainfall, so hopefully that'll continue. Take care.
Comments
A review of last year's California state budget shows California Gov. Gavin Newsom cut funding for wildfire and forest resilience by more than $100 million.
The budget, signed in June and covering the 2024-25 fiscal year, eliminated $101 million from seven "wildfire and forest resilience" programs, according to a report from Newsweek.
The California fires, responsible for destroying more than 10,000 buildings in the Los Angeles area, are still not contained.
Cal Fire had a $5 million reduction in spending on fuel reduction teams, including funds used to pay for vegetation management work by the California National Guard, the report noted.
Other changes:
Newsom's director of communications, Izzy Gardon, called the budget cuts a "ridiculous lie," in a statement to Fox News Digital Friday night.
"The governor has doubled the size of our firefighting army, built the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet and the state has increased the forest management ten-fold since he took office," she wrote. "Facts matter."
His office attached statistics that refer to the overall increase in spending and personnel over a number of years since he took office in 2019, as opposed to commenting on the most recent cuts.
Cal Fire did not immediately respond to a request for comment as of 8 p.m. Friday.
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
astoria 06
albany 06
hartford 06
reading 06
barcelona 06
paris 06
wembley 07
dusseldorf 07
nijmegen 07
this song is meant to be called i got shit,itshould be called i got shit tickets-hartford 06 -
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
Good news! Stay safe Joe.
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
Organizations supporting victims:
Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)- https://www.coreresponse.org/donate-emergency-response-fund/
American Red Cross- 1-800-RED-CROSS, text the word REDCROSS to 90999 or visit http://redcross.org/
United Way of Greater Los Angeles- https://unitedwayla.org/
Salvation Army- https://socal.salvationarmy.org/southern-california/wildfires-in-los-angeles/
Organizations supporting firefighters:
California Fire Foundation- https://www.cafirefoundation.org/
Lost Angeles Fire Department Foundation- https://supportlafd.org/
Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firefighters Fund- https://www.wodff.org/
Organizations helping animals:
Pasadena Humane- https://pasadenahumane.org/eaton-canyon-fire-update/
Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation- https://lacountyanimals.org/
Los Angeles Animal Services- https://www.laanimalservices.com/
https://wck.org/relief/california-fires-jan25
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
That may explain why California has one third of the country's homeless population!
As far as L.A., over the last two years more money has been budgeted for the homeless issue than for the L.A. Fire Dept.
Below is part of a recently published news story on this subject:
By Breck Dumas FOXBusiness
Los Angeles' budget is in the spotlight as multiple wildfires rage around the city amid revelations that Mayor Karen Bass slashed the fire department's budget last year while prioritizing spending on the city's homeless population.
An analysis by L.A.'s city comptroller last year found that roughly half the budget for homelessness went unspent.
From the 2023-2024 to the 2024-2025 budgets, the LAFD’s budget was reduced by over $17 million from $837,191,237 to $819,637,423.
Bass had proposed a larger budget cut to the LAFD, about $23 million, but it was not adopted.
FOX Business has reached out to Bass' office for comment on the reasoning behind the cuts.
The budget for homelessness was also reduced in the 2024-2025 budget, but remained larger than the LAFD budget.
As far as California as a whole is concerned, I've attached the following story from six months ago below:
California is now home to more than a third of the nation’s homeless population, despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) $24 billion bid to solve the crisis.
After a state audit revealed California failed to track more than $24 billion in taxpayer funds targeting homelessness, Newsom has faced criticism for his leadership on the issue. The report revealed that the California Interagency Council on Homelessness, the state agency that oversees homelessness, did not provide “accurate, complete, and comparable financial and outcome information from homelessness programs.” Cal ICH consists primarily of Newsom appointees.
Less than two weeks after the report broke, Newsom announced Cal ICH would administer another $200 million in grant funding to assist California cities and counties in moving homeless people from encampments into subsidized housing. At the time, Newsom seemed to sidestep criticism of Cal ICH’s failure to track funds, as he urged local leaders to provide greater oversight over funding.
“As the state provides unprecedented resources like this, we also expect accountability,” Newsom said in April. “Local governments must ensure this funding is being utilized on the ground.”
During his State of the State address last week, Newsom defended his efforts to reduce California’s homeless population.
“No state has done as much as California in addressing the pernicious problem of homelessness that too many politicians have ignored for too long,” he said. Newsom has ushered in a 60% budget increase over his tenure as governor. Since taking office in 2019, his state budget has increased from $201.4 billion to $454.7 billion in 2023.
Despite the Democratic governor’s efforts, homelessness has risen 53% in his state since 2013.
California’s largest city, Los Angeles, has seen a slight decline in its homeless population. After spending $250 million to address the issue, last week Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass celebrated a 2.2% overall decline in homelessness. Bass’s “Inside Safe” initiative was a push to reduce homeless encampments by transferring individuals to hotels. The taxpayer-funded program costs $17,009 per individual per month.
The Supreme Court’s recent ruling will have implications for how the Golden State chooses to approach homeless encampments. The court upheld an Oregon ban on homeless people sleeping outdoors, striking down a San Francisco court that ruled imposing criminal penalties on homeless encampments violated the Constitution.
Newsom celebrated the high court's decision, saying it gave state officials the "authority to implement and enforce policies to clear unsafe encampments from our streets."
So, those are the facts. I know a lot of people here don't like facts, but the public has a right - and a need - to know.
And, as far as who am I to speak on this subject?
I've been a voting California resident since 1975, when I hitchhiked from Ohio after graduating high school.
(Yes, I'm older than Eddie but younger than Boom! ha ha.)
I lived in beautiful Los Angeles for 16 years before moving to the San Francisco area, where I currently reside, in 1991.
I still have family in L.A., whom I visit often and am in constant contact with, as my brother lives just 3 miles from the fire zone.
That them there's a lot of words
So money makes the problem better and now fire is costing a lot of money so it'll be worse?
Also, thank you for your thoughtful reply information ☺️ Hope your brothers all right
So, the facts above show that the more California has spent on the homeless issue, the WORSE the problem has gotten.
We California taxpayers WANT to solve the homeless issue, especially for our veterans, and we're pissed off that the powers that be are failing us all. And thank you for asking, Spunkie.
Well, I hope our BC wildfire services were able to help out.Our experts think we're five years plus from LA drought conditions. It's always nice to see the firefighying help offered from countries around the world.
Thousands of firefighters are battling the sprawling wildfires across LA.
ByTomas Navia and Tonya Simpson
January 11, 2025, 6:09 PM
6:02
Deadly wildfire devastation across LA as red flag warnings continueAn estimated 12,000 homes have burned as displaced families pour into shelters under evacuation orders and return to t...
Amidst confusion around budget cuts affecting the Los Angeles Fire Department while thousands of firefighters are battling at least five wildfires, ABC News dug into the city budgets and other publicly available documents for the city.
In May 2024, the city of Los Angeles adopted a Fiscal Year 2024 - 2025 budget that cut the appropriations for the fire department by $17.6 million from the previous year.
At the time, the city of Los Angeles was negotiating the union contract with the firefighters' union, the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City.
A firefighter sprays water in a burned house following the Palisades Fire at the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, Jan. 10, 2025.
Mike Blake/Reuters
On Nov. 5, the City Council voted to approve a union contract for 2024 - 2028. A report that was sent to the city a day prior outlined the fiscal impact of the contract and stated that it would cost approximately $76 million in the 2024 - 2025 fiscal year. This was to increase salaries and benefits for union members.
MORE: Help for Southern California wildfire victims: Where to find food and care resources
On Dec. 17, 2024, the LA Fire Commission sent a report to Mayor Karen Bass by Fire Chief Kristin Crowley. In it, Crowley stated that the department is facing "unprecedented operational challenges due to the elimination of critical civilian positions and a $7 million reduction" in overtime hours.
A firefighter sprays water in a burned house following the Palisades Fire at the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, Jan. 10, 2025.
Mike Blake/Reuters
With the new contract approved, the budget for the fire department in Fiscal Year 2024 - 2025 increased from $819.6 million to $895.6 million. When compared to the previous year's budget (Fiscal Year 2023 - 2024), this current year's fire department budget in total is larger by $58.4 million. According to a document from the city administrative officer, the increase in this year's budget was approved specifically to meet salary and benefit increases included in the new union contract.
MORE: California wildfires can take mental health toll on residents, firefighters
In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, burned homes are seen from above during the Palisades fire in Malibu, Los Angeles County, Calif., Jan. 9, 2025.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
In an interview with a local FOX station on Friday, Crowley responded after being repeatedly asked if the city failed her and her department, she said “yes,” echoing her letter to the mayor from December.
"My number one priority has been and will continue to be, that our firefighters get what they need, so that they can serve the community. That is number one. I'm going to turn down the noise when it comes to any type of criticism, because every decision that I make is going to be based off of what my firefighters need," Crowley said.
At least 11 people are believed to be dead -- with the Los Angeles County sheriff saying he expects that number to rise -- as devastating fires spread across Southern California amid dry and windy conditions.The largest blaze, the Palisades Fire, in Pacific Palisades, has scorched over 22,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures and is 11% contained. The Eaton Fire, in Altadena, now stands at more than 14,000 acres and 15% contained. More than 150,000 people are under evacuation orders.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
And yes, your Canadian firefighters and the two CL-415 Skimmer Airtankers they brought have been a HUGE help to us!
Those Skimmers are gettting water right out of the Pacific Ocean and dumping it where it is needed to fight the fires!
Thank you again for the help, Canada!
And, for the record, California's rainfall amounts for 2022-2024 were above average - no drought!
But ironically, that's a double-edged sword.
The Winter and Spring rains encourage the undergrowth to grow, which looks green and beautiful on the mountain sides and forests.
But, all that growth eventually dies over our hot Summers, turning brown and dry and becoming fuel for fire season.
It's really frustrating living here sometimes, but worth it!
So far this year, we're above average on rainfall, so hopefully that'll continue.
Take care.