How the LA Fires Mirror the State of our Politics

Creator: Ethan Swope | Credit: AP

Copyright: Copyright 2025 The Associated Press

It’s hard to not give up hope, when the political (and literal for that matter!) atmosphere seems so bleak.

The wildfires in LA have been so heart-wrenching and painful to watch, for all of us. My husband grew up in the Pacific Palisades and has seen many of his friends and family lose their homes, as well as their restaurants, parks, and community spaces. The city continues to burn a week later, with strong winds threatening to create even more danger and loss across Southern California.

The devastation these fires has caused is both immense and far-reaching. In addition to the immediate destruction of property and loss of life, wildfires can have long-term environmental and social consequences, which can impact generations to come. From the damage to the ecosystems, loss of biodiversity, the release of harmful pollutants into the air and water, and the damage to infrastructure, the devastation to communities is hard to fully grasp. 

There’s been a lot of discussion about the cause of the wildfires and the cuts to the LAFD approved by LA Mayor Karen Bass. There’s been no shortage of both fact finding and misinformation spreading, which has created a chaotic idea-sharing environment and outrage on all sides. This process stows distrust and disconnect, which ultimatly fuels tribal partisanship that creates further divides not only in our political systems, but within our own personal communities.

I believe it's also important to acknowledge the systemic factors here; what about the thousands of politicians on all levels who have opposed policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Or those who have opposed resources for wildfire prevention and suppression? What about the polluters themselves, who have profited billions while civilians are left to deal with the consequences of their carelessness, through the loss of their entire livelihoods. 

How do the factors of race and gender impact our perceptions of LA’s mayor? What about the wealthy citizens who opposed higher taxes in California last year, who are now singing a different tune? 

I could go on and on; the intersection of wildfires and politics is a complex one. There are no easy solutions to the problems caused by wildfires. However, it is important to understand the political factors that contribute to these problems in order to develop effective solutions and respond in a way that will create real, systemic change, as our climate continues to warm.