LAFD under scrutiny after firefighter complaints allegedly ignored in the deadly Palisades fire
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The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is facing mounting criticism after revelations that officials knew firefighters had raised concerns about incomplete mop-up operations at the Lachman Fire—days before it reignited into the deadly Palisades inferno.
Internal communications and eyewitness accounts suggest that warnings were ignored, and that key details may have been omitted from official reports.
From Smouldering Brush to Catastrophic Blaze
The Lachman Fire began on January 1 in Pacific Palisades and was initially considered contained. However, on January 2, firefighters were reportedly ordered to leave the scene despite visible hot spots and smoldering terrain. According to text messages obtained by The Los Angeles Times, crews expressed concern that the fire was not fully extinguished, with one firefighter noting “tons of smouldering tree stumps still remained that needed to be dug out and water applied.”
Six days later, on January 7, the fire reignited—triggering the Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes. A captain from Fire Station 23 reportedly called in to say, “The Lachman Fire started up again,” confirming suspicions among responders that the two incidents were directly linked.
Internal Knowledge and Public Silence
Sources briefed on the matter told The Times that at least one LAFD battalion chief had directed crews to pack up on January 2, despite their objections. That decision, and the subsequent complaints, were not included in the department’s after-action report released in October. The report only briefly mentioned the Lachman Fire, despite its clear role in the Palisades disaster.
Interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva declined to comment, and Mayor Karen Bass has not confirmed whether she was informed of the complaints prior to media coverage. Battalion Chief Mario Garcia, listed as on duty during the Lachman mop-up, also declined to speak, citing an ongoing investigation.
Accountability and Transparency Demands
The lack of disclosure has sparked outrage among victims and fire safety advocates. Critics argue that the omission of firefighter concerns from official documentation undermines public trust and hampers efforts to improve wildfire response protocols.
A high-ranking fire official not affiliated with LAFD confirmed that Battalion Chief Nick Ferrari was informed in June about the directive to leave the Lachman site. Yet no public acknowledgment was made until investigative reporting brought the issue to light.
Broader Implications
The incident raises serious questions about command decisions, post-fire assessments, and internal communication within one of the nation’s largest fire departments. It also underscores the importance of thorough mop-up operations in wildland firefighting, especially as climate conditions and urban encroachment increase the stakes.
Federal investigators have since arrested a 29-year-old male in connection with the Palisades Fire, but the role of the Lachman Fire’s premature abandonment remains central to the unfolding inquiry.
Sources:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/lafd-knew-firefighter-complaints-lachman-110000667.html
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/lafd-concealed-firefighter-concerns-over-lach…