Overview

• The January wildfires in Los Angeles burned over 150 square kilometers, destroyed more than 10,000 homes, and caused economic losses estimated at $250-275 billion.
• Mayor Karen Bass cited poor decision-making by Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, including sending 1,000 firefighters home on the morning the fires began, as a key reason for her dismissal.
• Crowley had publicly criticized the city for underfunding and under-equipping the fire department, which she claimed hindered their ability to combat the fires effectively.
• The fires, fueled by drought conditions and strong Santa Ana winds, have been linked to climate change, which researchers say has intensified wildfire risks in the region.
• The decision to remove Crowley has sparked controversy, with some accusing the mayor of deflecting criticism of her own absence during the early days of the disaster.