Firefighters Warned Days Before Pacific Palisades Fire

According to the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles firefighters had cautioned about the ongoing risk from a fire just days prior to the outbreak of the Pacific Palisades fire.

About six days ahead of the Pacific Palisades incident, firefighters were dispatched to extinguish a smaller fire known as the Luckman Fire, which had ignited on January 1st. Text messages exchanged among three firefighters and another person revealed concerns that their superiors did not ensure the Luckman Fire was completely extinguished.

One firefighter expressed astonishment that crews were reportedly instructed to pack up tree stumps when they were still hot the day after the Luckman Fire ignited. Another firefighter mentioned feeling upset when they were ordered to leave the area, but recognized that they had to follow directives from above.

This same firefighter noted that their team was aware the Pacific Palisades fire was actually a rekindling of the Luckman Fire, as reported by the newspaper.

On October 8, authorities arrested 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht in connection with the criminal investigation surrounding the Pacific Palisades fire. A press release indicated that, despite initial claims from Democrats attributing the devastation to climate change, officials determined that the Palisades Fire was a continuation of the Luckman Fire, as per a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

Following the arrest, a video surfaced showing smoke coming from smoldering bushes just days before the Pacific Palisades Fire erupted. This video is part of a lawsuit related to the Pacific Palisades and is under review.

Spencer Pratt, a former reality TV star, criticized the government’s handling of the situation after experiencing it firsthand with his family. In response to the LA Times report, Pratt shared an interaction with the firefighters involved.

In his social media post, Pratt recounted that he was at the Luckman fire site on January 2 and was told to pack up, even though the area still contained active smoldering spots. He noted ongoing hazards like hot tree stumps that needed to be managed. He claimed that, on that day, he walked by the chief and pointed out a hot spot. The chief deemed it sufficient, and work continued to retrieve equipment, leaving Pratt incredulous as they walked away from the remnants of the fire.

Both California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced criticism from residents regarding their responses to the aftermath of the disaster. By February, Mayor Bass had dismissed Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Christine Crowley in light of reports emphasizing failures in responding to both the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires.

The Los Angeles Fire Department did not reply to requests for comment related to this situation.