LOS ANGELES, California — Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has ordered an independent investigation into how the city’s fire department handled the smaller Lachman fire, which reignited days later into the catastrophic Palisades fire — the most destructive blaze in the city’s history. The January firestorm killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,800 structures across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Topanga.
Reports from the Los Angeles Times revealed that firefighters were told to leave the Lachman fire site despite concerns that parts of the ground were still smoldering. Text messages show crew members warned it was a “bad idea” to leave while hot rocks and tree stumps were still present. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) previously said the fire was “dead out,” describing the later inferno as a “phenomenon.”
In response, Bass called the revelations “tremendously alarming,” adding that a full review is necessary to restore public confidence. “We owe it to our firefighters and residents to make sure the department is ready for any emergency,” she wrote.
Newly appointed Fire Chief Jamie Moore said he supports “a fair and thorough process” and pledged transparency as the city rebuilds. Former city councilor Zev Yaroslavsky urged a fully independent panel to examine what went wrong, calling the disaster “a Pearl Harbor moment” for Los Angeles.
Officials say the review will focus on communication failures and preparedness to prevent similar tragedies in future wildfire seasons.
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