Another councilwoman, Monica Rodriguez, is advocating for Crowley’s reinstatement. Crowley, who assumed her position in 2022, will continue to serve at the LAFD in a reduced capacity as per the mayor’s office announcement on Friday. In the interim, former Chief Deputy Ronnie Villanueva has been appointed as the acting fire chief. During the wildfire threat, Mayor Bass was traveling abroad. On January 4, she departed the U.S. for Ghana to attend the inauguration of the country’s new president. The National Weather Service Los Angeles issued a fire weather watch on January 3, a day before the mayor left. The agency warned of potential damaging north to northeast winds peaking on Tuesday and Wednesday for parts of LA/Ventura Counties. Mayor Bass arrived in Ghana on January 5, the same day a red flag warning was issued by the NWS. She returned to Los Angeles on January 8. Clarifications regarding her knowledge and actions during this time have not been provided by Mayor Bass. In a recent interview with Fox 11, she downplayed concerns raised about her absence during the crisis. While Mayor Bass was abroad, the acting mayor declared a local emergency on January 7, almost seven hours after the Palisades Fire started. The emergency declaration facilitated a rarely used “full recall” of personnel, as reported by sources. The United Firefighters of Los Angeles City president voiced outrage over Crowley’s dismissal, alleging she is being made a scapegoat. Crowley had previously warned about the impact of budget cuts on the department’s preparedness. Concerns have been raised about the events leading up to the fire, the fire itself, and the response. Councilwoman Park emphasized the need for thorough scrutiny and accountability in seeking answers. Stay updated on the latest news about Pope Francis’ health, including updates from the Vatican on his condition. Additionally, Elon Musk reaffirms his stance following an email exchange with federal employees, with support from former President Trump.
