Recently obtained records, including text messages and internal reports, shed light on the frantic efforts of Los Angeles officials in the lead-up to the destructive wildfires that ravaged the city earlier this year. The documents reveal how authorities initially activated the lowest level of emergency management to address the Palisades Fire before being overwhelmed by the rapidly spreading blazes, displacing tens of thousands of residents in the Pacific Palisades area.
The Palisades and Eaton wildfires, which were among the most destructive in recent years, claimed the lives of 29 individuals and scorched nearly 60,000 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Criticism has been directed at fire officials for their early response, with questions arising about whether the devastation could have been mitigated.
Following the fires, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass removed Kristin Crowley from her position as LA Fire Chief, citing her decision to send firefighters home on the morning the fires broke out. Crowley, a 25-year veteran of the LA Fire Department, has since appealed the decision and chosen to remain in the civil service with a lower rank.
Details from the records released by the Emergency Management Department and LAFD show the evolving discussions among local officials before, during, and after the fires. The National Weather Service had issued warnings of a potentially catastrophic windstorm on January 6, prompting city officials to activate the Emergency Operations Center at the lowest level in anticipation of worsening conditions.
As the situation escalated the next day, with winds intensifying, the risk of wildfires grew. Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, acting as mayor in Bass's absence, contacted the LAFD to discuss the deteriorating weather conditions.
As the fires spread rapidly, Crowley sought assistance from neighboring counties, and plans were made to escalate the emergency response to the highest level. Challenges arose during firefighting efforts, including dry hydrants and plummeting water pressure, hindering the firefighters' ability to combat the blazes effectively.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for an independent investigation into the failures that led to water supply disruptions during the wildfires. Newsom has also requested nearly $40 billion in wildfire recovery aid from Congress following the extensive damage caused by the fires.
