Overview
- In a candid, post-interview exchange on Matt Welch’s The Fifth Column, Mayor Karen Bass said both the city and county mishandled the Palisades and Eaton fires, with the longer video later replaced by a shorter cut.
- Bass’ team acknowledged asking for the final minutes to be removed from YouTube, while the mayor called the situation unfortunate and said she has made similar assessments publicly.
- She cited the Los Angeles Fire Department’s failure to pre-deploy to the Palisades and the lack of timely evacuation alerts in west Altadena during the Eaton fire, where nearly all 19 deaths occurred.
- Bass previously ousted LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley in February over deployment decisions and participation in after-action work, and she has defended recovery steps including accelerated debris removal and emergency rebuilding orders.
- The disclosures arrive as Bass launches her reelection bid, drawing fresh criticism from rival Austin Beutner and renewed attention to her travel to Ghana when the Palisades fire ignited, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes.