Earlier this week, as hurricane-strength winds blew through bone-dry hillside subdivisions, Los Angeles saw its worst nightmare realized as long-predicted firestorms engulfed wide swaths of the nation's second-largest city.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass awkwardly remained silent when she was questioned by a reporter at Los Angeles International Airport about the devastating fires.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing criticism for being out of the country when the devastating wildfires began to ravage the city.