The Los Angeles Fire Department has finally published its internal investigation into the disorganized and under-resourced response to the Palisades Fire — yet it fails to address the underlying causes of the fire, including new claims that it originated from a prior fire that responders did not completely extinguish.
On Wednesday, federal investigators suggested that California’s most devastating wildfire may have stemmed from a preceding blaze, the Lachman Fire, which prosecutors assert was ignited by arsonist Jonathan Rinderknecht on January 1.
As reported by arson investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lachman Fire smoldered quietly for six days before flaring back up as the Palisades Fire.
The LAFD’s extensive 70-page after-action report, released on Wednesday, neglects to mention these recent findings.
The Palisades Fire erupted on January 7, rapidly intensified by powerful winds, ultimately reducing more than 6,000 structures to ash.
The report does not explicitly link the Lachman Fire to the Palisades Fire, apart from a mention of an on-duty captain who thought the Lachman Fire had reignited.
Rather than pinpointing a specific cause, the report describes a “perfect storm” of factors — such as dry vegetation, extreme winds, and a lack of available water — that created conditions ripe for a catastrophic blaze.
The LAFD acknowledged its failure to keep available firefighters in reserve despite the escalating risks.
Members of Mayor Karen Bass’s administration recognized the fire hazard, yet the mayor departed for a trip to Africa, leaving her at a distance while the flames ravaged her city.
Overworked and under-staffed fire crews, with some working continuously for 36 hours, faced significant exhaustion as they fought to control the inferno.
“Physical exhaustion resulted in performance and safety issues. The combination of fatigue and sleep deprivation critically impaired their decision-making abilities,” the report states.
Additionally, there was a failure in communication during the crucial early moments of the fire, which left some teams to act independently without direction from higher authorities.
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“Responsibility for specialized resources … was left up to individual company commanders, leading to informal assignments and a lack of accountability,” the report concludes.
The evacuation orders were also marked by disarray and confusion, resulting in traffic congestions on vital evacuation routes as locals attempted to flee.
“There was a delay in issuing evacuation orders, alerts, and instructions to shelter in place. Consequently, many residents evacuated spontaneously without any organized traffic control, obstructing crucial escape routes,” the report indicated.
