The Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have revealed that they’ve identified the cause of the recent fire in Pacific Palisades and made an arrest in connection to it. Initially, the cause was considered unknown, though there were hints that fireworks might have played a role.
As a resident who lived through the fire, albeit with property damage, I sincerely wish for a long sentence for the individual responsible. However, it’s crucial to note that this person didn’t start the fire that consumed Pacific Palisades. The real accountability, I think, lies with California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Governor Newsom has, unfortunately, not managed California’s forests effectively, allowing them to become overgrown and hazardous. Instead of tackling the underlying issues, he often attributes fire incidents to climate change. After the Palisades fire, he remarked, “The hot seasons are getting hotter…” Well, yes, climate change affects everything, but one might wonder if more could be done on the ground.
Then there’s Mayor Bass, whose performance has been questionable at best. During her campaign, she committed to staying close to home, asserting that she wouldn’t travel far. Ironically, she’s been overseas five times since taking office, including a notable trip to Ghana while LA dealt with a fire watch. She was at a cocktail party, completely disconnected when she first learned about the fire.
Breaking campaign commitments, especially at such a critical time, is one thing, but doing so for an event not related to her duties is quite another. She holds the position in the second-largest city in the U.S., yet her grasp of the responsibilities seems lacking. This wasn’t her first jaunt abroad; she also attended a presidential inauguration in Mexico.
Moreover, Bass’s hiring policies, particularly in diversity, equity, and inclusion, have led to the appointment of less qualified individuals in crucial safety roles. Appointees, including the deputy mayor for public safety and the fire chief, have caused significant disappointment within the community. On her website, she proudly declares her intent to ensure a diverse government representation, perhaps at the expense of hiring the most qualified candidates.
Federal investigations confirmed that the Palisades fire, which erupted on January 7, could have been prevented. ATF concluded that it reignited from a small fire sparked by the same arsonist on New Year’s Day. While the initial fire only burned 8 acres, the individual did call 911 right away. But those familiar with brush fires know that extinguishing a fire doesn’t always mean it can’t relight, especially with unchecked undergrowth.
Kenny Cooper, the ATF Special Agent overseeing the case, provided insights, recalling how fires hidden in roots can smolder for days or even weeks. He described how proactive measures were needed, such as monitoring areas after a fire is put out to prevent flare-ups.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the approach taken in the Palisades. The Los Angeles Fire Department returned only the day after the fire started to retrieve hoses, neglecting to monitor the area until it reignited. This raises serious questions about LAFD’s preparedness; other reports have indicated inadequate measures were taken to address potential fire hazards.
Christine Crowley, the fire chief, saw her position affected by mayoral budget cuts, which compromised the department’s effectiveness. It’s frustrating to witness increased funding for homelessness while critical services that protect residents suffer cuts. Last year, the city council slashed the fire department budget by millions while allocating substantial sums to homelessness initiatives, even with the number of fire stations stagnant since the 1960s.
Water shortages also hampered firefighting efforts, as local reservoirs had been left empty for repairs, leaving crews with limited resources during the blaze. This issue rests on Janice Quinones, another of Bass’s appointees, whose background in energy didn’t translate well to water management.
And let’s not forget about public safety during this crisis. At the time, the deputy mayor for public safety was dealing with serious legal issues for making a false bomb threat, leaving the city vulnerable. His position remained vacant for several months, even long after the fire.
In the aftermath, Bass commented on the arrests related to the fire, suggesting that the city is moving toward closure and justice. In reality, justice for arsonists entails prison. As for Bass, perhaps resigning would truly serve justice. If she had any sense of responsibility, she would have stepped down post-Ghana trip, but instead, she seems determined to lead recovery efforts while planning for re-election in solidly blue LA.
