Overview

• The Palisades wildfire, one of the most destructive in California history, killed 12 people, destroyed nearly 7,000 structures, and caused hundreds of billions in damages.
• Mayor Karen Bass cited Fire Chief Kristin Crowley's decision to send 1,000 firefighters off duty and her refusal to conduct an after-action report as reasons for her removal.
• Crowley had previously warned that budget cuts to the Los Angeles Fire Department had left it under-resourced and understaffed, affecting its ability to respond to emergencies effectively.
• Bass faced criticism for being out of the country during the wildfire, though she stated she was unaware of the fire risk before leaving and returned as quickly as possible.
• Ronnie Villanueva, a retired LAFD veteran, has been appointed as interim fire chief as the city launches a search for a permanent replacement.