West LA Times

Actress Justine Bateman has attributed the recent wildfire disaster in California to the state's politicians, Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom. Bateman criticized their response on January 17 via the social media platform X, accusing them of a lack of care and sincerity towards Californians.

“This is what leadership looks like. This level of honesty, and humility, and love for Los Angeles and the state of Califonia is missing from both Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom,” Bateman said in her post. “Both of these politicians should be removed from office.”

A recall effort against Governor Newsom is currently underway, with over 165,000 signatures collected in a petition demanding the resignation of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as of January 27. Criticism towards these Democratic leaders has intensified following reports that fire hydrants ran dry during the peak of the firestorm in Pacific Palisades. The Eaton Fire in Alta Dena, which severely impacted homes at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, has prompted scrutiny over California's forest management policies. Additionally, Bass faced backlash for being in Ghana when the fires erupted, despite previously stating she would not travel internationally as mayor, according to Newsweek.

The Hill reported that instead of addressing imminent natural disasters in Los Angeles amidst warnings from wildfire professionals, California officials focused on "Trump-proofing" the state. They allegedly ignored warning signs and failed to allocate resources towards fireproofing efforts, diverting funds to unrelated programs instead.

According to Cal Fire, as of January 27, both the Palisades and Eaton Fires are largely contained at 95% and 99%, respectively. The Palisades Fire has consumed 23,448 acres, destroyed 6,837 structures, damaged another 1,017 structures, and resulted in 12 fatalities and three injuries. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire has burned through 14,021 acres and caused significant destruction with 9,418 structures destroyed and 1,073 damaged along with 17 fatalities. Santa Ana winds combined with drought conditions exacerbated by heavy brush from two years of substantial rainfall have worsened these fires. Investigations into their causes are ongoing.

Justine Bateman is recognized for her work as an actress, director, and author. She holds two Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination for her film contributions. In recognition of her achievements in film and literature, IndieWire named her one of "22 Female Filmmakers to Watch" in 2021 while Adweek included her among its "Trailblazers," according to information from her website JustineBateman.com.