Bass seemed more forceful after a series of initial stumbles after returning from Ghana, where she was part of an official White House delegation to the inauguration of that country's president.

As crews continue to put out multiple fires across Los Angeles County, residents have expressed worry about the city’s insufficient response. Criticism includes not being warned about the likelihood of the fires even happening as well as a shortage of both firefighters and water.

Bass was asked on Thursday about her "lack of preparation" before the city was hit with devastating wildfires.