Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing backlash as wildfires continue to burn across Southern California. But why is she facing political heat?

Why was LA Mayor Karen Bass in Ghana as devastating wildfires broke out? - Los Angeles mayor set off for African nation on Saturday despite reports of possible fire weather the day prior

Some residents said Mayor Karen Bass should have canceled her trip to Ghana when weather warnings in Los Angeles grew increasingly dire.

Southern California wildfire maps ... some hope in Altadena Bass departed for Accra, Ghana on Saturday, Jan. 4. USA TODAY adds that Bass was out of the country as the Palisades caught fire.

Southern California wildfire maps ... some hope in Altadena Bass was in West Africa to attend the inauguration of Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday. Jan 4. Bass departed for ...

Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles is facing public criticism for being in Ghana during the raging wildfires in Southern California.

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Soldiers killed at least seven people at a gold mine in southern Ghana, the West African country's military said.

Less than two weeks after the start of what has become one of the state’s most destructive natural disasters, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass continues to face backlash for her response to the Southern California wildfires, with critics demanding her resignation and some even floating a recall effort.

At this point, it remains to be seen just how vulnerable Bass is due to her perceived failure to prepare and then respond to the fires.

In Los Angeles, a social media hoax spread rumors of immigration checkpoints and raids at a supermarket chain. Another false report of an immigration raid in East San Jose caused further panic.

Three wildfires continue to burn in the Los Angeles region, according to Cal Fire. The Palisades and Eaton fires have scorched nearly 40,000 acres, destroying thousands of homes and forcing tens of thousands of evacuations. The fires are 31% and 65% contained, respectively, but authorities said earlier this week that the blazes had little growth.

A three-video compilation showing blazes in Algeria, Ghana, and Iceland has been misrepresented on social media as footage of the Los Angeles wildfires.