On January 7, 2025, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass found herself in a challenging situation while attending a reception at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana. The time difference was significant; it was early evening in Accra but just before 11 a.m. in Los Angeles, where a catastrophic wildfire was beginning to unfold.
Bass was part of a Biden administration delegation attending the inauguration of Ghana’s new president. She received urgent messages from her deputy chief of staff, Celine Cordero, alerting her to two significant fires in Los Angeles. Cordero’s texts indicated that the fires were spreading rapidly, with evacuation orders likely to follow as strong winds fanned the flames.
At the same time, Bass was mingling with dignitaries, including former German President Christian Wulff. However, she spent much of the evening making phone calls to stay informed about the situation back home.
As the evening progressed, the fires continued to escalate. Cordero informed Bass that the Palisades fire had grown to 200 acres and that homes were at risk. The urgency of the situation was palpable, with Bass trying to coordinate responses from thousands of miles away.
By 8 p.m. Ghana time, the Biden delegation was en route to Kotoka International Airport to board a military jet back to the U.S. Cordero had been overseeing public safety in Bass’s absence, given that another deputy mayor was on leave due to an investigation. The situation in Los Angeles was dire, with reports of injuries and the fire threatening numerous homes.
Bass remained in contact with her team, emphasizing that she could make calls from the plane. Her determination to stay engaged was evident as she encouraged her staff to arrange a meeting with city general managers to discuss the crisis.
As the military jet refueled in Cape Verde, Bass continued to communicate with her staff and federal officials about the unfolding disaster. She received messages from California Senator Adam Schiff and others offering support as conditions worsened in Los Angeles.
By the time Bass’s plane landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, it was early morning in Los Angeles, and the fire situation had deteriorated further. She quickly transitioned to a commercial flight back to LAX, where she would face the aftermath of the fires that had devastated parts of her city.
Upon her return, Bass was met with questions about her absence during the crisis. The Palisades fire ultimately claimed 12 lives and destroyed thousands of homes, marking a significant moment in Bass’s tenure as mayor. Her handling of the situation from afar would likely impact her political future as she navigated the fallout from the disaster.