Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has been removed from her position by Mayor Karen Bass. The decision follows criticism of her handling of the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires, which killed dozens and destroyed hundreds of homes.
Mayor Bass stated that 1,000 firefighters were sent home instead of being deployed during the fires. Crowley also refused to complete an after-action report, which was a necessary step in the investigation. These actions led to her removal.
Crowley openly criticized Mayor Bass for failing the city during the fires. Meanwhile, Bass faced scrutiny for attending an event in Ghana during the crisis, despite warnings about the unprecedented weather conditions.
Retired Chief Deputy Ronnie Villanueva has been appointed as interim fire chief. The city continues to investigate the handling of the fires and prepare for future emergencies.