NEW: Per ICE sources, the man seen in a viral video being subdued by residents & arrested by police w/ a blowtorch near the #KennethFire in West Hills is an illegal alien from Mexico named Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva. He is in custody on a probation violation & has NOT been charged…

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 13, 2025

Despite the circumstances, Sierra-Leyva has not been charged with arson but is currently in custody for violating his probation.

The incident unfolded when Los Angeles police were dispatched to the 21700 block of Ybarra Road in Woodland Hills following a 911 call reporting someone attempting to start a fire. Shortly after, a fire broke out near Calabasas and West Hills, leading to Sierra-Leyva’s apprehension by local residents.

BREAKING: The man arrested with a blowtorch near the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills of California is an illegal immigrant from Mexico and ICE has placed a detainer request on him, according to @BillMelugin_ .

Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva was NOT charged with arson and is “in… pic.twitter.com/6LEcsPrqJf

— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) January 13, 2025

Posts on X have highlighted the event, noting that while ICE intends to place a detainer on Sierra-Leyva, the effectiveness of this measure might be compromised due to sanctuary laws in California.

Note on ICE detainer… “they do not expect it to be honored due to California's Sanctuary State law”

Insanity. @RealTomHoman https://t.co/fYhdAUVCrJ

— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) January 13, 2025

This situation has sparked discussions on social media, with some users expressing frustration over the legal system’s handling of the case, particularly focusing on the lack of arson charges despite the presence of incriminating evidence like a blowtorch at the scene of a wildfire.

In most states, the evidence would be enough to charge him for arson. In California, it seems more and more likely that he’ll be released to roam about the country, blowtorch and all.

Sheriff Luna emphasized the department’s commitment to security in these evacuated neighborhoods, which are particularly vulnerable due to the absence of residents. The Sheriff’s Department, along with local law enforcement, has been actively patrolling these areas to deter criminal activities.

Among the arrests were notable cases involving a suspects dressed as firefighters caught burglarizing homes. This incident underscores the lengths to which some individuals will go to exploit the chaos.

The Palisades and Eaton fires have not only created a physical hazard but have also brought to light the social challenges that follow such disasters, including crime in evacuated areas. The community and law enforcement are working together to restore order and safety, ensuring that those affected by the fires can return to their homes without the additional worry of theft.

Article generated from legacy media reports.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has been under fire for approving lavish contracts for city employees just months before the catastrophic wildfires that have ravaged the city. According to city records, these contracts, which significantly boosted the wages of civilian workers, directly contributed to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) facing severe budget cuts, impacting its wildfire response capabilities.

Mayor Bass, who has been in office since 2022, signed off on contracts that saw civilian employees receiving between 20% to 25% salary increases over five years. The financial implications of these deals are estimated to cost the city around $4.5 billion over the contracts’ lifetime. This fiscal commitment led to a $17.6 million reduction in the LAFD’s budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, a decision that has now come under scrutiny as the city battles several devastating fires.

The Palisades Fire, which has become one of the most destructive in LA’s history, alongside the Eaton Fire, have caused widespread destruction, with thousands of structures burned and at least 16 lives lost. The reduced funding for the fire department meant fewer resources for training, equipment maintenance, and emergency response, at a time when the city was most vulnerable to such natural disasters.

Criticism has been mounting against Mayor Bass, with public figures and residents questioning the timing and prioritization of city spending. Firefighters have voiced concerns about the cuts’ impact on their readiness and effectiveness, particularly in light of the current disaster. The budget reduction has been described as “devastating” by some within the department, highlighting a significant shortfall in preparing for and responding to wildfires.

Public sentiment, as reflected in posts on X, shows a mix of frustration and disbelief over the allocation of funds towards city contracts while critical emergency services like the fire department faced cuts. The narrative on social media and in local news has been one of questioning leadership decisions at a time when the city’s safety and infrastructure were at stake.

Mayor Bass, upon returning from an international trip amidst the fires, has been largely silent on these specific decisions, focusing instead on the immediate response to the crisis. However, the controversy surrounding her financial choices has not abated, with many calling for a reevaluation of budget priorities to ensure better preparedness for future emergencies.

This situation underscores a broader debate on how cities manage their budgets, especially in areas prone to natural disasters like wildfires, where every dollar can mean the difference between life and death, or property saved versus destroyed.

Article generated from corporate media reports.

In an interview on the liberal podcast “Pod Save America,” Newsom acknowledged the anger among those affected by the wildfires but highlighted that he has been struggling to get clear information from local authorities. He stated, “I’m the governor of California and want to know the answer,” pointing out his own team’s inquiries into what went wrong have been met with vague responses.

He said, “I’ll be candid with you, I wasn’t getting straight answers,” regarding his discussions with local leaders, which he suggests has hindered effective response efforts. Newsom has given these local leaders “a little bit of grace,” recognizing they are dealing with an “emergency environment,” but also noted that patience among the public is running thin.

The governor also took aim at Trump, with whom he has had previous confrontations, especially after Trump criticized Newsom’s leadership during the wildfires. Trump accused Newsom of poor management, stating, “It’s very sad because I’ve been trying to get Gavin Newsom to allow water to come – you’d have tremendous water up there, they send it out from the Pacific – because they’re trying to protect a tiny little fish.”

Trump’s comments refer to environmental policies aimed at protecting certain fish species, which he claims have led to water mismanagement during the crisis.

In response, Newsom’s office clarified that high water demand and ongoing fires have impacted water supply logistics, explaining that pump stations at lower elevations lacked sufficient pressure to refill higher elevation tanks, and fire conditions made it difficult for crews to access these pumps.

Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump’s transition team, sharply criticized Newsom, suggesting he focus on his gubernatorial duties rather than deflecting blame, saying, “Instead of appearing on liberal podcasts, maybe Newscum [sic] should be doing his f—ing job and actually help people who continue to suffer under his terrible leadership.”

Newsom sees the writing on the wall. The people are seeing through the failed leadership that has plagued California for decades and he’s trying to position himself as one of the victims. Los Angeles officials did it. Trump did it. He’ll do and say anything other than accept responsibilities for his role in the unmitigated disaster.

Article generated from corporate media reports.

The city lacked the budget to adequately fill fire hydrants which allowed for the destruction of thousands of homes and the deaths of at least 10 people. Scarborough said it is still unknown what has caused Newsom’s administration’s “complete failure” to protect Californians’ homes and livelihoods, and argued that the lack of readiness by state governments to properly handle natural disasters has been a recurring phenomenon for several years.

“Happy Friday, if we can even say that with just the hellscape that is Los Angeles … We don’t know the exact causes for the complete failure of government to be able to protect these homes, I don’t think we can say it’s the smelt alone,” Scarborough said. “We don’t know what it is. But I do think it is going to be like Hurricane Katrina. I mean, the infrastructure has been slashed. You can’t just say it’s [Los Angeles Mayor] Karen Bass, you can’t just say it’s Gavin Newsom. This has been a trend for 30 years. Infrastructure has been slashed across America and you do have climate change, so you have wildfires sweeping into urban areas. They’re kind of like fighting the last war.”

“But I just … the longer we get into this, the more I think about how New Orleans didn’t invest in their levee system, how they didn’t invest in critical infrastructure, and people died because of it. It’s just hard to hear people say in one of the richest cities in the world say ‘Oh, we don’t have enough water to protect people’s homes,’” Scarborough continued.

An analysis from OpenTheBooks, a government transparency organization, found that the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) lacked the budget to adequately fund fire hydrants despite having received substantial taxpayer-funded salaries. Several fire hydrants in the impacted areas ran dry and failed to combat the flames that spread across hundreds of neighborhoods.

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley committed significant resources to an internal “racial equity plan” and other diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Over 100,000 residents in Pacific Palisades, Eaton Canyon and other communities had to evacuate their homes, with thousands returning to find their houses in ashes, according to the Los Angeles Times. Residents impacted by the fires told the Daily Caller News Foundation Wednesday that they were told to evacuate without warning and unexpectedly lost their houses and personal belongings.

EATON FIRE: Additional footage from today #California | #Altadena | #CaliforniaWildfires pic.twitter.com/FNUBvJMkm0

— Hailey Grace Gomez (@haileyggomez) January 9, 2025

EATON FIRE: Another shot from tonight obtained by @DailyCaller News Foundation. Being told winds are still pushing embers around making it incredibly hectic for officials to slow anything down. #Pasadena | #California pic.twitter.com/sqf1qlR3bl

— Hailey Grace Gomez (@haileyggomez) January 8, 2025

Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass traveled to Ghana for the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama as the fires raged across her constituents’ backyards. Sky News reporter David Blevins caught the mayor off guard Wednesday as he asked if she owes an apology to the citizens of Los Angeles.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].

But is this solely a case of city officials letting down their fire department? Or does the accountability extend deeper across all levels of government? Let’s break down the challenges, failures, and what this means for Los Angeles—and beyond.

The Ripple Effect of Government Failure

When a city as massive as Los Angeles experiences operational failures, the consequences are rarely isolated. This isn’t just a challenge for LA residents or even Californians. The financial, logistical, and economic impacts spread across the nation.

Home to over 4 million people, Los Angeles is the second-most populous city in the United States. A city-wide failure at this scale inevitably affects federal resources, insurance markets, and supply chains. Whether you’re in Miami, Seattle, or any other corner of the country, chances are you’ll feel the impact—if not directly, then through rising insurance rates or disrupted goods and services.

Budget Cuts and Leadership Decisions

Mayor Karen Bass has come under scrutiny for budgetary decisions that many argue have left the fire department inadequately prepared. Reports indicate that $17.6 million was cut from the fire department’s budget to fund programs aiding undocumented immigrants and other city initiatives. This is on top of an additional proposed $49 million reduction, which fortunately didn’t pass.

These funding decisions come at a steep cost. Firefighters are left without proper resources to combat surging emergencies, including the very wildfires wreaking havoc today. It’s a sobering reminder of how prioritizing certain initiatives over critical infrastructure can leave communities vulnerable.

A County and State in Crisis

Failures don’t stop at the city level. Los Angeles County has struggled to coordinate emergency alerts effectively, with reports of evacuation notices being misdirected to millions of unintended recipients. One glaring example saw Orange County residents panicking after receiving evacuation notices for fires nowhere near them. This disorganized response eroded trust in emergency systems and created unnecessary chaos.

At the state level, California’s government—overseeing what would be the fifth-largest economy in the world if it were an independent nation—seems equally constrained. Years of systemic inefficiency, bloated bureaucracy, and questionable priorities have left a state rich in resources struggling to meet its most basic responsibilities.

For many residents, California’s leadership doesn’t inspire confidence. It’s not just incompetence—it’s a consistent cycle of mismanagement that puts lives at risk.

Kristin Crowley’s Role and Accountability

Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has not been shy about criticizing city leadership. In interviews, she’s repeatedly stated that her department isn’t getting what it needs to meet the community’s demands. However, this raises an important question: Why didn’t she sound the alarm sooner?

Crowley’s focus on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives underscored much of her tenure. While breaking barriers as the first openly LGBTQ+ woman to lead the department is a historic achievement, critics argue that her focus was misplaced when pressing resource shortages posed a looming threat.

If Crowley knew the department lacked the resources to deal with significant fires, she had a duty to sound the alarm much earlier. Instead, her energies seemed directed toward personal and symbolic achievements rather than advocating for critical funding. Whether this was due to poor judgment, incompetence, or political caution, it underscores a leadership gap at a crucial time.

Political Agendas vs. Public Safety

One of the most troubling aspects of this crisis is how political agendas appear to have taken priority over public safety concerns. Leaders like Mayor Karen Bass and others at different levels of government seemingly focused more on progressive programs than on ensuring preparedness for emergencies of this scale.

The result? A fire chief under-resourced, firefighters stretching themselves thin, and a population caught in the crossfire—literally. As the death toll rises, the consequences of poor governance become tragically clear.

What Comes Next?

The reality of this crisis goes beyond pointing fingers. It’s a wake-up call for Los Angeles and every city confronting resource shortages and emergency preparedness. Leaders must balance long-term initiatives with the immediate needs of essential services like public safety.

Without meaningful changes in leadership, priorities, and funding, this isn’t the last time Californians—or Americans as a whole—will bear the fallout of systemic incompetence.

Final Thoughts

Los Angeles’ current predicament is a glaring example of how bad policies breed dangerous outcomes. From city officials cutting critical budgets, to county mismanagement, to a state government riddled with inefficiency, every level of leadership shares the blame.

For Chief Kristin Crowley, the time to act decisively has long passed. Her acknowledgment of failure doesn’t absolve her of responsibility for knowing her department’s limitations and failing to raise the alarm months ago. Breaking glass ceilings is commendable, but leadership is about action—and Los Angeles residents shouldn’t have to pay the price for political miscalculations.

This crisis demands accountability, reform, and above all, a shift in priorities. Lives depend on it.

Video Summary generated with assistance of AI.

The fire, which ignited on Tuesday, quickly escalated, with Diamond observing the fire’s rapid spread near Sunset and Pacific Coast Highway. He described the scene as the flames “taking everything in their path,” moving at a rate of about a quarter mile every 30 minutes. Diamond, alongside other community members, took it upon themselves to combat the fire, using whatever equipment they could gather, including axes and shovels.

Diamond’s involvement in fire prevention isn’t new; he formed the brigade after the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which left a significant scar on the region. He’s critical of the state’s current wildfire management, particularly under Governor Gavin Newsom, advocating for a return to controlled burns. Controlled burns, or prescribed fires, are used to manage forest undergrowth and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires by clearing out potential fuel for fires.

“Controlled burns are essential,” Diamond stated. He believes that the state’s reluctance to implement these preventive measures stems from fears of litigation if burns accidentally spread. He argues that the potential damage from not conducting these burns far outweighs any legal risks, suggesting that the government should bypass bureaucratic hurdles for the safety of residents.

The Palisades Fire not only tested the resolve of local residents like Diamond but also underscored the severity of California’s wildfire situation. The fire claimed at least one life, as reported by the City of Malibu, and led to the evacuation of celebrities and destruction of high-value properties.

Diamond’s experience underscores a broader call for communities to be proactive in their safety, urging residents to establish direct lines of communication with local emergency services and to prepare for disasters. He shared how the community managed resources during the Woolsey Fire, setting up a makeshift camp for operations, which has now been recognized by the Los Angeles Fire Department as a valuable asset in fire management due to their intimate knowledge of the local terrain.

As wildfires continue to pose a significant threat, Diamond’s story is a testament to the power of community action and the urgent need for policy changes in fire management strategies. His call to reinstate controlled burns is a reminder of the complex balance between environmental stewardship and public safety in California’s ongoing battle with wildfires.

Article generated from corporate media reports.

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, as of Thursday afternoon, more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed, and at least five people have died. There have been nearly 13,926 total emergency responses, 92 wildfires and 29,053 acres burned, per the department.

Los Angeles has declared a state of emergency, and the National Guard has been deployed to assist the hundreds of firefighters – including many from other states – fighting the fires.

President Joe Biden has approved further federal assistance for Los Angeles County as the fires continue to raze homes, schools, businesses and other structures, in addition to scorching vegetation and wildlife in their wake.

“The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Los Angeles County,” said a Wednesday statement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.”

The White House announced late Wednesday that Biden will not be making a scheduled trip to Italy this week so he can monitor the raging wildfires in Southern California.

Speaking from the White House on Thursday afternoon during a briefing on the fires, Biden said federal funding will cover debris removal, setting up temporary shelters, and paying first responders.

“I told the governor and local officials, spare no expense,” Biden said in noting he’s surging federal resources into Southern California, including 400 federal firefighters, 30 federal firefighting aircraft and other assets.

The president provided some moral support as well for those enduring the fires that have turned portions of Southern California into a hellscape.

“We are with you,” Biden said. “We’re not going anywhere. To the firefighters and first responders, you are heroes.”

There was at least a brief respite on Thursday morning as the Santa Ana winds lessened somewhat, but forecasters warned that critical fire weather conditions would continue over the next several days.

While winds aren’t expected to reach the extremes of Tuesday night – gusts of up to 100 mph were recorded – potentially damaging winds remain in the forecast into the next week.

“High winds and low relative humidity will continue to support critical fire weather conditions in southern California through Friday,” the National Weather Service said on its website as of Thursday afternoon. “Red Flag Warnings remain in effect.”

The woman, whose daughter’s school burned down, approached the governor in her neighborhood demanding to know how he plans to aid the communities devastated by the five destructive fires that rapidly spread across parts of Los Angeles. Newsom claimed he was attempting to call President Joe Biden, leading the woman to bluntly tell him she did not believe he was about to call the president.

“Can I hear it? Because I don’t believe it,” the woman said. Newsom claimed that he tried “five times” to make the call, prompting the mother to ask why the president was not taking his calls.

“It’s not going through, so I have to get cell service,” Newsom explained.

“Let’s get it, let’s get it, I want to be here when you call the president,” she responded.

“I appreciate [that], I’m doing that right now and we need to get immediate reimbursements, individual assistance to help you. I’m devastated for you, I’m so sorry, especially for your daughter,” Newsom said.

The woman then asked Newsom why the state’s hydrants lacked the water needed to put out the fires. The governor assured her that he is taking all of the necessary steps to provide Californians with the necessary resources before cutting the conversation short and stepping into his vehicle.

“What are you gonna do? I would fill up [the hydrants] personally you know that,” she said. “I would fill up all of the hydrants myself. But would you do that?”

“I would do whatever I can,” the governor replied.

“But you’re not,” she interjected. “I see — do you know there’s water dripping over there, governor? There’s water coming out of there, you can use it.”

“I appreciate that, I’m gonna make the call to address everything I can right now, including making sure people are safe,” the governor answered.

An analysis from OpenTheBooks, a government transparency organization, said that Los Angeles lacked the budget to fund adequate fire hydrants despite the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) having received substantial taxpayer-funded salaries. Several fire hydrants in the state ran dry as the LADWP and fire department officials attempted to combat the flames that destroyed thousands of homes, neighborhoods and communities in the area.

pic.twitter.com/IljfVSSNmd

— Hailey Grace Gomez (@haileyggomez) January 9, 2025

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley committed significant resources to an internal “racial equity plan” and other diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Over 100,000 people had to evacuate their homes and at least five people have died, though officials believe the death toll is higher, according to the Los Angeles Times. About 1,000 homes in Pacific Palisades and the same number of residences in Eaton Canyon perished after the areas were set ablaze.

Residents told the Daily Caller News Foundation Wednesday that they did not expect their homes and personal belongings to completely perish, and that they received notice to evacuate without any prior warning.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].

(Daily Signal)—I’m here in California. I’ve been a lifelong resident of the state, fifth generation to live in the same house. I had a house in the Sierra, and it would almost burn down three years ago during the Aspen Fire, and I’m speaking on the evening when you’ve all heard about the disastrous fire in Los Angeles.

As I’m speaking on a Wednesday night, there have been 15,000 acres, 1,000 structures destroyed. Nobody knows how many people are killed or missing. And how do we characterize this? Everybody’s talking about the Santa Ana winds, climate change—I mean everybody, the people in power.

But it was preventable. And once it started, this fire, it could have been assuaged. You could have had it lessened, that the severity didn’t have to be as catastrophic. So, I would characterize it as a DEI–Green New Deal hydrogen bomb. It’s something out of “Dante’s Inferno.”

And what I mean by that is, it’s a systems breakdown, a civilizational collapse. When you look at the people in charge, [California Gov.] Gavin Newsom flew in, to sort of do these performance-art stunts, but he has systematically ensured that water out of the Sacramento River and the watershed of Northern California would go out to the sea, rather than into the aqueduct, so Los Angeles didn’t have sufficient amounts of water.

He bragged not very long ago that he blew up four dams on the Klamath River. They provided 80,000 homes with clean hydroelectric power. They offered recreation, flood control, irrigation. He blew them up.

California’s fire management, whether we look at the Paradise Fire or the Aspen Fire near where I’m speaking, it destroyed 60 million trees. We have no timber industry in California. [Newsom’s] dismantled it.

We don’t clean the forest. We don’t let loggers come in and have a viable livelihood by harvesting trees. It’s sort of considered natural to let these things burn or to at least create the conditions in which they will inevitably be burned.

It’s almost as if we don’t like humans. We worry about grubs and worms and birds and the ecosystem.

The second breakdown was the mayor, Karen Bass, was in Africa. You tell me why the mayor of the third-largest city in the United States at fire season, when she had been warned and warned for days on end that the Santa Ana winds were up to 100 miles an hour in the evening, and there was a danger of fire, and she goes off to Africa for the inauguration of the president of Ghana.

With all due respect, Mayor, but who cares? You have an obligation to the 6 million people of greater Los Angeles. And then we have the fire chief. I don’t really care that she’s LGBTQ, I don’t care [about] any of that. All I do care is her emphases. She’s been bragging for the last two years that her goal was to make sure [the Fire Department] was diverse and inclusive.

That can be good if it’s competent. But when you announce that 70% of your hiring will not be meritocratic, but will be based on diversity, equity, inclusion, then you’re not putting the interest of your constituents first.

There were not even enough, there wasn’t enough water pressure in Pacific Palisades. Pacific Palisades is not where I live. It’s one of the wealthiest, most exclusive neighborhoods in the United States. If they don’t have water, then no one’s going to get water, believe me.

There’s not enough insurance. There were famous actors that didn’t have insurance. Why? Because industry is overregulated, it’s fraught with people who make fraudulent claims, and the insurance industry knows that California is hostile to it, but more importantly that it will never clean up its forest or take preventive, time-tried, ancient protocols to lessen the dangers of fire.

And so put it all together, whether it’s a deliberate policy to not store water, not preserve water. Last year was one of the wettest years that we’ve had. We’ve had three out of the last four years have been very wet. We had a huge snowpack. We had rivers that were running in 19th-century fashion, but out to the sea to save the delta smelt.

So, it was a total systems collapse from the idea of not spending money on irrigation, storage, water, fire prevention, force management, a viable insurance industry, a DEI hierarchy. You put it all together and it’s something like a DEI-Green New Deal hydrogen bomb.

Gavin Newsom was fiddling, as he’s almost Nero Newsom. And this has been something that is just unimaginable, this system’s breakdown.

And to finish, what we’re seeing in California is a state with 40 million people. And yet the people who run it feel that it should return to a 19^th-century pastoral condition. They are decivilizing the state, and deindustrializing the state, and defarming the state, but they’re not telling the 40 million people that their lifestyles will have to revert back to the 19th century when you had no protection from fire, you didn’t have enough water in California, you didn’t have enough power, you didn’t pump oil.

So, we are deliberately making these decisions not to develop energy, not to develop a timber industry, not to protect the insurance industry, not to protect houses and property.

And we’re doing it in almost a purely nihilistic fashion. And Karen Bass should resign. She came to the airport, back from Africa. She had nothing to say. She was confronted at the airport: “Why were you in Africa? Why did you cut the fire department?”

They cut the fire department by almost $18 million. They gave fire protective equipment to Ukraine’s first responders, and she had nothing to say. She had nothing to say because she couldn’t say anything.

I don’t want to be too pessimistic or bleak tonight, but this is one of the most alarming symptoms of a society gone mad, and if this continues, and if this were to spread to other states, we would become a Third World country if we’re not in parts already.