Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has stated that she is investigating how she was allowed to leave for an official trip to Ghana just before the city was hit by devastating wildfires. Speaking to reporters, Bass called the situation “unreal spin,” pushing back against criticism that she was absent during a crisis.

Bass traveled to Ghana earlier this month for a scheduled diplomatic visit focused on economic and cultural ties. However, while she was away, wildfires erupted across parts of Los Angeles, prompting emergency responses from city officials. The timing of her trip sparked backlash, with some questioning why she was permitted to leave when such disasters are a known risk in California.

“I am looking into the protocols that allowed me to travel at this

Critics argue that leadership should remain in place during high-risk seasons, particularly as climate change intensifies California’s fire threats. Some political opponents claim her absence reflects poor judgment, while supporters insist that city agencies are fully capable of managing emergencies without direct mayoral oversight.

Bass, however, emphasized that she was in constant communication with her team while abroad and that emergency response mechanisms functioned as expected. “This is about governance, not physical presence,” she explained. “The systems we have in place are designed to work no matter where I am.”

As investigations continue, the mayor’s office aims to assess whether adjustments should be made to travel policies for key officials during emergency-prone periods. Meanwhile, fire crews continue their efforts to contain the blazes, and relief work for affected communities remains a priority.