Poll: LA Residents Give Mixed Reviews to City’s Wildfire Response as Emergency Planning Expands to South LA

A recent Los Angeles Times-UC Berkeley poll reveals that Los Angeles residents have mixed views on official responses to recent wildfires, with less than 20% of respondents rating Mayor Karen Bass’s wildfire management as “excellent” or “good” as affected communities continue recovery efforts.

The poll, which surveyed over 1,300 registered voters across Los Angeles County, found that while residents expressed appreciation for first responders, they showed less confidence in the city’s overall preparation and management of the wildfires that impacted numerous communities in recent months.

According to the poll results, residents were particularly concerned about evacuation procedures, communication during emergency situations, and prevention efforts. Only 18% of respondents gave high marks to the city’s wildfire preparedness infrastructure, while 42% rated it as “fair” and 32% as “poor.”

“The results reflect the challenges faced during rapidly evolving emergency situations,” said a spokesperson for the Mayor’s office in response to the poll. “We’re committed to improving our emergency response systems and incorporating community feedback into our disaster preparedness planning.”

For Inglewood and Compton residents, the findings highlight broader concerns about disaster preparedness across Los Angeles County. While these communities weren’t directly impacted by the recent wildfires, they face their own potential natural disaster risks, including earthquakes and urban flooding, which would require similar emergency response systems.

The Los Angeles Fire Department has announced plans to host community feedback sessions throughout the county, including one scheduled for next month at Inglewood City Hall. These sessions aim to gather resident input on improving emergency communication and evacuation procedures for all types of disasters.

“These community conversations are crucial for building more resilient neighborhoods,” said a Los Angeles County emergency management official. “The lessons learned from the wildfire response apply to many types of emergencies that could affect any community in our region.”

The poll also revealed demographic differences in satisfaction levels, with residents in higher fire-risk areas expressing more concerns about preparedness than those in urban centers. Additionally, 65% of respondents indicated support for increased funding for prevention efforts and improved emergency alert systems.

Inglewood residents interested in participating in the upcoming community feedback session can register on the Los Angeles Fire Department website. The session will cover emergency preparedness strategies for multiple disaster scenarios relevant to the South Los Angeles region.

This story draws on information from the Los Angeles Times-UC Berkeley poll and public statements from city officials.