Six weeks after a devastating wildfire in Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass announced the firing of Fire Chief Kristin Crowley. This decision comes amid tension over how the city handled the fire response. Bass emphasized that it’s time for the city to move forward.
Bass had initially commended Crowley for her early efforts. However, she later discovered that around 1,000 firefighters could have been deployed on the day the fire broke out but were sent home instead. Additionally, Crowley did not prepare a report that was essential for understanding what went wrong.
The Palisades Fire ignited on January 7 during extreme wind conditions, leading to damage to nearly 8,000 buildings and resulting in at least 12 deaths. On the same day, another fire in Altadena caused at least 17 fatalities and impacted more than 10,000 structures. Critics pointed out that Bass was in Africa on a presidential delegation when the fires began, raising questions about her awareness of the fire risk prior to her trip.
Bass claimed Crowley did not inform her about the impending danger. She stated, “She has my cellphone. She knows she can call me 24/7. That did not happen this time.” The local fire department did not comment on the chief’s firing, but Crowley plans to remain with the department in a lower rank.
The firefighters’ union expressed strong disapproval of Bass’ decision, calling it a scapegoat move. They argued that the fire department has faced staffing and funding issues for years, which the administration was aware of. The union noted, “The reality is our fire department has been understaffed and under-resourced for years.” Recent budget cuts affected the department’s operations and resources, leading to many fire engines being out of service.
Crowley became the fire chief in 2022 during a challenging time for the department. She was the first woman to hold this position and had served in various roles within the department for over 25 years. Her departure follows mounting tensions with Bass, particularly regarding budget cuts that impacted the fire department’s capabilities.
Some, including billionaire developer Rick Caruso, who previously challenged Bass for the mayor’s position, criticized the dismissal. Caruso argued that honesty about the fire department’s struggles should not be grounds for termination.
Since returning from Africa, Bass has faced questions about her decision to leave during such a critical time. Although she acknowledged her absence was a mistake, she reiterated that Crowley should have warned her about the fire risks.
This wildfire crisis will likely define Bass’ tenure as mayor. She has indicated plans to seek reelection in 2026. As the city starts the long process of recovery and rebuilding, many are watching closely how she manages this challenge. It involves coordination between multiple government agencies and private entities, making it a complex task. Political dynamics are already shifting, with tensions surfacing among various stakeholders.
Bass’ leadership during this crisis will be scrutinized, and she has stated that city operations will proceed as they search for a new fire chief. The future of Los Angeles’ fire safety and recovery efforts depend on effective management and cooperation among diverse parties.
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Los Angeles Area wildfires, Wildfires, Karen Bass, Los Angeles, Gavin Newsom, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Fires, General news, AP Top News, CA State Wire, Rick Caruso, Politics, Kristin Crowley, U.S. news, Climate and environment, Bill Carrick, Climate
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