Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing criticism for being out of the country when the devastating wildfires began to ravage the city.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declined to respond to criticism on Wednesday of the city's handling of a series of wildfires that have left at least five people dead and thousands of structures burned.

Kristin Crowley, in multiple interviews, drew a connection between budget cuts to her department and the city's struggle to combat the wildfires.

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley criticized the city's decision to cut more than $17 million in funding, saying that the city let her and her firefighters down. (KTTV)

Chief Kristin Crowley said during an interview Friday that the city failed the department amid the ongoing wildfires in Southern California that have taken at least 11 lives and burned more than 37,000 acres.

California governor Gavin Newsom announced the launch of an independent investigation into the L.A. Department of Water and Power.