Scrutiny is intensifying over the origins of the devastating Palisades fire in Los Angeles, following reports that firefighters were ordered to leave the site of an earlier blaze despite concerns it was still smouldering. The Palisades fire, which broke out on 7 January 2025, became the most destructive in the city's history, killing 12 people and destroying more than 6,800 structures.
The initial blaze, known as the Lachman fire, ignited on New Year's Day and was largely extinguished after burning just eight acres. However, the Los Angeles Times has reported that firefighters were told to roll up their hoses and leave a day later, even after they informed their battalion chief that it was a “bad idea” due to visible smouldering. Some rocks and tree stumps were still hot to the touch, according to the report.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) previously maintained that the Lachman fire was “dead out” before crews moved on, saying they had “cold-trailed” it several times. An assistant fire chief said at the time that any new blaze arising from the ashes would “be a phenomenon”. The Palisades fire ignited five days later, fuelled by hurricane-force winds.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has ordered an investigation into the Lachman fire response, calling the accounts “tremendously alarming”. In a letter to interim chief Ronnie Villanueva, Bass said a full understanding of the response was essential for reforming the department. She has since appointed Jamie Moore as permanent chief, who has pledged to support an independent probe.
A former city councillor described the aftermath as a “Pearl Harbor moment” for Los Angeles, insisting the city must never again be caught in such a vulnerable position. The LAFD's after-action report on the Palisades fire, released in October, did not include details of the concerns raised about the Lachman fire response.
