WASHINGTON

The use of small handbags by firefighters combating wildfires in parts of Los Angeles has drawn criticism on social media.

"Los Angeles is the 2nd largest city in the wealthiest country in the world and their fire department is fighting fires with women’s purses," conservative journalist Collin Rugg wrote on X, sharing footage showing firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) using handbags to throw water on fires to douse the flames.

The fires, which have been raging for days in Los Angeles and surrounding areas of California, continue to spread to new regions.

While the LAFD defended the practice of using handbags as a practical and efficient tool for tackling smaller fires, the images sparked criticism online regarding the adequacy of resources in one of the wealthiest cities in the US.

Some netizens noted that the handbags were not “women’s purses” while many questioned whether the LAFD has access to more professional equipment for handling small fires.

Officials confirmed that wildfires raging in various areas of Los Angeles, including one in an upscale neighborhood, have claimed the lives of five people.

The LAFD described the blazes as among the most destructive in the city's history, with approximately 2,000 homes destroyed so far.

The fires have reached Hollywood, with reports saying that celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Mandy Moore and Cary Elwes have lost their homes.

As a safety precaution, authorities have announced the closure of all schools in the affected regions.