Just days before the Palisades fire got out of hand, a fire chief pulled back a bulldozer, expressing worries about “endangered flora” in the vicinity, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
The Palisades fire caused significant destruction in Los Angeles, leading to the loss of countless homes and, tragically, more than a dozen lives. During a January 1 visit to California’s Topanga State Park, a park official asked Capt. Richard Deede, a heavy equipment supervisor with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), if bulldozers would be utilized. Deede’s response was a flat “No,” pointing out that the area was teeming with endangered plant species. He added, “I’d be a real idiot to put a bulldozer in that area. … I’m very disciplined.”
Later, the Luckman Fire reignited and evolved into the Palisades Fire on January 7. Findings from a 24-day multi-agency investigation revealed that the initial fire had been extinguished, but another flare-up occurred due to underground smoldering. Strong winds had eventually brought the fire to the surface, resulting in the larger blaze.
On October 8, an arson suspect was arrested amidst a criminal investigation, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Esseri.
Several residents affected by the Palisades fire have filed a lawsuit against California State Parks, accusing it of failing to ensure the complete extinguishment of the Luckman Fire. Lawyers plan to interrogate firefighters in January about the decision not to deploy bulldozers, according to the Times.
A spokesperson for California State Parks commented that “state parks are not firefighting agencies” and stated that firefighting on park property falls under the jurisdiction of the appropriate fire services.
Interestingly, changes to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) have historically impeded wildfire prevention efforts due to environmental considerations. There have been delays in fuel removal projects that were crucial for fire management, as noted in past reporting.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has faced scrutiny for damaging several endangered plants in Topanga State Park in 2020, leading to a hefty restitution fine. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is reportedly updating its energy infrastructure to bolster resilience against winds and fires.
Edward Ring, director of water and energy policy at the California Policy Center, expressed that the current fire situation was anticipated, stating, “We’ve ignored our water infrastructure. We’ve mismanaged our forests and chaparral in the name of protecting the environment, and we’re paying the price.”
