The devastating wildfires in California followed decades of slow-moving fire prevention efforts delayed by bureaucracy and red tape. Those delays were magnified by a fire prevention initiative from Gov. Gavin Newsom (D.) that went years without completing a single project.The Los Angeles fires are already projected to cause up to $150 billion in damage while displacing hundreds of thousands of residents. At least 11 people have died in the fires as of Friday evening, though the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner said that number is expected to rise.
