Firefighters' Warnings Ignored Before Catastrophic Blaze
A devastating chain of events that led to the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history is facing renewed scrutiny after explosive revelations about the initial emergency response. According to a bombshell report from the LA Times, firefighters were ordered to abandon a smaller blaze despite warning their superiors that the ground remained dangerously hot.
The Lachman fire, which initially burned just eight acres in the early hours of New Year's Day, was declared extinguished and crews were told to roll up their hoses and depart. However, text messages reveal that firefighters expressed serious concerns about this decision, reporting visible smouldering and hot rocks to their battalion chief.
From Small Blaze to Catastrophic Inferno
Five days after firefighters left the Lachman fire scene, the Palisades fire erupted with devastating consequences. Fueled by 100mph winds equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane, the inferno ravaged communities across Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Topanga.
The catastrophic blaze claimed 12 lives and destroyed more than 6,800 structures, making it the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history. The fire remained uncontained until 31st January 2025, according to official reports.
A man has since been arrested and faces three federal arson charges for allegedly igniting the original Lachman fire. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Investigation Ordered Amid Growing Political Pressure
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has ordered an independent investigation into the Lachman fire response, describing the emerging accounts as "tremendously alarming". In a letter dated 31st October, Bass emphasised the need for transparency and reform within the fire department.
"Make no mistake: our city's firefighters are heroes every day," Bass wrote. "We owe it to them and the people of Los Angeles to make sure that their fire department is led, organised and ready for whatever emergencies may arise."
The newly appointed permanent fire chief, Jamie Moore, has pledged his support for a full independent probe. Moore told the city council's public safety committee: "Recent media attention surrounding the January wildfires has created understandable mistrust, and it must be addressed directly."
Critical Details Missing from Official Report
Remarkably, the concerns raised by firefighters and the battalion chief's controversial order to leave the smouldering site were completely omitted from the official 70-page after-action report released in early October. The document merely notes that the Palisades fire "began in the Santa Monica Mountains below the burn scar of the previous Lachman fire".
Former LA city councilor Zev Yaroslavsky has described the situation as the fire service's "Pearl Harbor moment", drawing parallels with historic national emergencies that prompted fundamental reforms.
"You've got to get an independent panel of people who do not have any connection to the fire departments of this region," Yaroslavsky told the Guardian. "Something always goes wrong in a fire, but something on this scale has to be looked at in a very different way."
The LAFD had previously maintained that the Lachman fire was completely extinguished, with crews having "cold-trailed" the area multiple times by feeling for hotspots with their hands. An assistant fire chief had stated at the time that any new blaze emerging from the ashes would "be a phenomenon".
As communities continue the arduous rebuilding process, questions remain about what department leaders knew about the ongoing fire risk and when they knew it. The investigation ordered by Mayor Bass aims to provide answers that could transform emergency response protocols for years to come.
