The Palisades and Eaton fires burned over 37,000 acres of land and destroyed more than 16,000 buildings. Bass gave her first media interview since the ordeal began at the beginning of this year.

“I feel terrible not being here for my city,” Bass told Fox LA. “When I say it Was a mistake, absolutely, the idea that I was not present was very painful.”

Instead, Bass was in Ghana for President John Dramani Mahama’s inauguration. She said the White House asked her to go to represent former President Joe Biden, and it was meant to be a “very, very short trip over a weekend and two business days.” Instead, she blamed LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley for not preparing her with the information she needed about impending fires before she left.

“That type of preparation didn’t happen. If that had, I will tell you, Elex, I wouldn’t have even gone to San Diego. Let alone leave the country,” Bass said. “So it didn’t reach that level to me to say, ‘Something terrible can happen, and maybe you shouldn’t have gone on a trip.’”

“Why didn’t it,” reporter Elex Michaelson asked.

“I don’t know. I mean, I think that’s one of the things we need to look at,” Bass said.

Since winning reelection in 2022, Bass cut $17.6 million from the emergency services budget, which directly compromised fire departments. Bass plans to run again in 2026, saying, “It is my responsibility to prove that I can lead and I am the rebuilding and the recovery process.”

Meanwhile, a petition demanding Bass’s immediate resignation has reached over 170,000 signatures.