Los Angeles County Fire Chief Tony Marrone expressed his concern via text at 11:18 a.m. “Not good,” he messaged. “No,” replied Crowley.
In the midst of the Palisades fire spreading across the Westside of Los Angeles in January, doubts emerged regarding the readiness of city officials for the catastrophe. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass came under fire initially for continuing her trip to Ghana before the fires erupted. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley mentioned on local TV station KTTV that past budget cuts had affected their firefighting capabilities.
Bass admitted fault for her travel decision, stating, “It was a mistake to travel, but I will tell you that we need to evaluate everything.” She emphasized that if she had been fully informed, she would have stayed in town. It was reported that the LAFD faced budget cuts in May 2024, which were later offset by an increase in the department’s budget after union negotiations.
Following the incident, Bass removed Crowley as fire chief, citing unfavorable decisions made under Crowley’s leadership. Crowley defended her actions, emphasizing her dedication to the firefighters and communities. New information has emerged from files related to the Palisades fire response, shedding light on the discussions among local officials before, during, and after the blaze.
The released records, including text messages from Crowley and city reports, reveal the realization of the severity of the situation and the challenges faced during the wildfire. Emergency Management Department Director Parks communicated the activation of the Emergency Operations Center, highlighting the grave impacts of the windstorm. Crowley pledged to be available for necessary actions, emphasizing close coordination with city officials.
Impacts similar in magnitude to the 2011 Pasadena windstorm are expected, with the potential for rapid fire growth and extreme behavior during this period. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is set to pre-deploy resources on Jan. 7, and community emergency response teams will be activated. Photos show firefighters battling the Eaton Fire amidst strong winds and burning homes on Jan. 7, 2025 in Pasadena, Calif.
Following outreach from Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson’s office about the weather event, LAFD Deputy Chief Jason Hing briefed him on deployment and preparation efforts. Text messages revealed growing concerns as fires broke out in Los Angeles, with Chief Deputy Orin Saunders alerting Crowley to a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades area.
As multiple fires erupted, communication intensified, with requests for additional resources and leadership support. Voluntary evacuation orders were issued in the Palisades area, and neighboring counties were asked for assistance as homes were lost and people became trapped.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to aid communities impacted by the Palisades fire, while the Eaton fire began in Altadena later in the evening. Photos and videos captured the chaotic scenes as residents and firefighters worked to combat the spreading fires.
On August 8, 2025, in Altadena, California, a photo captured the intensity of the situation as depicted by Mario Tama/Getty Images. Eight minutes following this moment, the LAFD utilized social media to urgently notify all off-duty LAFD members to contact the Department Operations Center promptly with their availability for potential recall.
At 7:19 p.m., Parks, the emergency manager, transmitted a text message stating, “EOC Directors are recommending that we move to Level 1.” He further elaborated that the Level 1 status, which signifies the highest level of emergency management, would come into effect the following morning.
Subsequently, at 7:22 p.m., Janisse Quiñones, the Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, sought information from Crowley regarding the safe accessibility of a specific location. Quiñones expressed concern over potential water shortages, highlighting the need to address the situation promptly as they had been evacuated before completing the installation of a necessary equipment.
The ongoing legal battle faced by the Department of Water and Power from Pacific Palisades residents, who claim the agency was unprepared for such a catastrophic fire, remains a significant challenge. While the agency refrains from commenting on ongoing litigation, a statement issued prior to the lawsuit emphasized compliance with federal and state fire codes to meet the community’s water needs adequately.
The Palisades fire raged on until the end of the month, consuming over 23,000 acres, while the devastating Eaton Fire ravaged 14,000 acres. The aftermath left entire neighborhoods reduced to ruins, with a tragic loss of 29 lives.
Amidst the chaos, Crowley received messages of encouragement following initial reports regarding her employment status. Responding to a concerned individual, Crowley reassured them, stating, “I have not been fired. Thanks for looking out for me.”
Despite this assurance, Bass ultimately terminated Crowley on February 21. Opting for a civil service demotion rather than accepting the dismissal, Crowley is currently appealing the decision. The fate of her employment will be deliberated by the Los Angeles City Council in an upcoming session, where they hold the power to overturn Bass’ decision to remove her from her position.
