California Wildfires: A Wake-Up Call for the State’s Elite on the Consequences of Governance Choices
This week’s Los Angeles wildfires have vividly highlighted California’s ongoing decline.
However, this time, the individuals affected by the state’s poor policies and governance include a group that is usually less impacted: the affluent.
In recent years, California has seen unprecedented net out-migration rates.
In 2022 alone, around 343,000 more residents left California than those who arrived, marking the state’s highest-ever net loss, and 2023’s figures were nearly as alarming, with a net loss of 268,100.
Interestingly, the wealthy largely remained in the state.
It’s primarily the lower and middle-income groups—burdened by exorbitant taxes, government mismanagement, and deteriorating infrastructure—who have been forced to leave.
The affluent have mostly escaped these challenges.
They can manage the significant tax burden and the elevated costs associated with housing and fuel.
As is the case for Governor Gavin Newsom, they have the option to sidestep failing public schools by enrolling their children in private institutions.
However, the lack of water in fire hydrants serves as a stark equalizer.
Comedian Billy Crystal lost nearly everything except for his tennis court in Pacific Palisades.
Several actors, including Anthony Hopkins, Miles Teller, and John Goodman, also saw their homes destroyed.
Heiress Paris Hilton witnessed her luxurious Malibu vacation home “burn to the ground on live TV.”
It’s uncomfortable to delve into the political missteps that resulted in the devastation of entire neighborhoods, yet it’s crucial to assess the disastrous policies that contributed to this avoidable crisis.
California has become a laboratory for the left’s most radical ideas after more than a decade of one-party rule—results we are now witnessing firsthand.
Whether by reducing fire department budgets, neglecting reservoir refills, disregarding deforestation guidelines under pressure from environmentalists, or simply passing the blame, the ineptitude of California’s leaders is painfully evident.
Newsom has been the epitome of indifference throughout this emergency.
When questioned about the dry hydrants, Newsom shifted the responsibility: “Look, the local folks are trying to figure that out,” he stated.
“I mean, typically those hydrants can accommodate two or three fires—maybe one on this scale, but again, it’s up to the locals to determine.”
At least he managed to string words together.
Meanwhile, Mayor Karen Bass remained completely silent and appeared almost catatonic when pressed by reporters asking, “Do you regret slashing the Fire Department budget by millions?” A blank stare was her only response.
The most concerning aspect of this crisis is that it was entirely foreseeable—so predictable that incoming president Donald Trump highlighted California’s ongoing water issues on Joe Rogan’s podcast merely three months ago.
Stay up to date with the NYP’s coverage of the terrifying LA-area fires
Even the affluent and renowned in this strongly Democratic city have begun to take notice, explicitly questioning why their leaders have failed so dramatically.
“City of LA, you want everyone to evacuate, yet there is total gridlock and no traffic cops on the roads to help,” actress Sarah Michelle Gellar wrote on her Instagram, mentioning Mayor Bass.
“Your extreme left policies have destroyed our state—and our party,” progressive actress Sara Foster criticized Bass and Newsom on X.
“Our reservoirs were drained by our governor due to requests from tribal leaders to protect fish.”
Podcaster and comedian Adam Carolla initiated a Change.org petition demanding Bass’ immediate resignation.
“I’m extremely frustrated, and I believe many people in Los Angeles feel the same,” actress and filmmaker Justine Bateman told Fox News.
“If our politicians can’t handle fundamental responsibilities,” such as fire and police protection, “then get out… you are useless to us.”
Several celebrities actively assisted in the evacuation efforts.
Actor Steve Guttenberg moved abandoned vehicles to clear paths for emergency services and even grabbed a TV news reporter to appeal for fleeing residents to leave their keys in their vehicles.
Where was the city and state leadership to convey such messages?
Now, California’s wealthy and famous individuals face a choice: they can steer their state towards a better future.
They have the opportunity to break free from their typical leftist alignment and speak the unvarnished truth.
National Democrats and their media allies are already attempting to frame this disaster as a consequence of climate change rather than the result of political mismanagement.
However, California’s elites possess the influence to assert that this is not the case.
Moreover, they can insist on tangible reforms to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
It will require courage.
Challenging the left in a predominantly blue state is no easy task.
Nevertheless, Californians awakening to the present crisis cannot revert to apathy.
They have a state to rescue.
Karol Markowicz is co-author of the book “Stolen Youth.”
