LAFD Chief Faces Resignation Calls Amid Wildfire Response Criticism

Kristin Crowley, the first female and openly gay Los Angeles Fire Chief, is under scrutiny for her leadership as unions and officials debate her handling of devastating wildfires.

A five-page anonymous letter from current and former LAFD officials accuses Chief Kristin Crowley of mismanaging the response to the Palisades fire, claiming better preparation could have reduced fatalities and property damage.
Crowley has publicly criticized Los Angeles city leadership, including Mayor Karen Bass, for underfunding the fire department, citing a $17 million budget cut that she says hampered emergency response efforts.
The United Firefighters of Los Angeles City union has defended Crowley, praising her for advocating for increased resources and rejecting accusations made in the anonymous letter as baseless and unsigned.
Critics argue that Crowley prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives over operational readiness, though supporters counter that these claims mask deeper issues of sexism within the department.
The wildfires, which have claimed at least 27 lives and destroyed thousands of structures, have intensified scrutiny on both Crowley and Mayor Bass, with some calling for their resignations.