The city's fire chief is under pressure as the deadly Los Angeles wildfires continue to be contained, with Mayor Karen Bass announcing plans for an outside investigation into the department's response to the devastating blaze. As a result, there are reportedly growing calls for him to resign.
As of Saturday, the Eaton Fire was 73% contained and the Palisades Fire was 43% contained. According to Cal Fire. At least 27 people have been killed and thousands of structures reduced to ashes since the historic fire broke out earlier this month.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Christine Crowley was the subject of a scathing five-page letter from a retired LAFD Bravest, calling for her immediate resignation for failing to properly manage the response to the devastating wildfires. . According to NewsNation, which obtained a copy of the letter earlier this week..
“If you had acted correctly and prepared the LAFD for an incident of this magnitude, fewer deaths and property would have been saved,” the letter said, adding that her resignation “is in the best interest of the citizens of Los Angeles.” '' he added. Angeles. ”
Additionally, Crowley, who became Los Angeles' first female fire chief in 2022, has had more than 125 senior commanders retire under her watch, creating a devastating power vacuum at various fire departments across the city. I blamed him for that.
“No one is saying we could have stopped this fire, but what we do say is that if you had acted correctly and the LAFD had been prepared for an incident of this magnitude, there would have been fewer deaths and less property.” There is no doubt in all of us that we are saved,'' the letter sent Monday declared.
The letter was released amid reports of a widening rift between Mr. Crowley and Mr. Bass, a dispute over the chief's leadership during the costliest wildfires in California history. This resulted in an even larger torrent.
Crowley told local media that LAFD's understaffing and funding has crippled City Hall departments and Angelenos, adding that the situation is “no longer sustainable.”
Earlier this week, Bass revealed there would be an external investigation into the response to the Los Angeles wildfires, but “internally we are doing a complete review of what happened.”
“We need to reflect on everything that happened,” Bass told reporters Friday. “But for me, the most important thing this past week was getting through the fire so we don't face danger again on Monday and Tuesday.”
Bass also appointed Steve Soboroff, former chairman of the Los Angeles Police Commission, as “chief recovery officer” to lead the City of Angels' rebuilding efforts.
“Our absolute priority is to get Angeleno residents back in their homes and rebuild. Steve knows our community, knows how to revitalize City Hall, and is committed to this large-scale effort. We know how to leverage the public, business, nonprofit, and philanthropic resources needed to advance our mission,” Bass said.
“There is no one better suited to develop our recovery plan. We will work closely together to advance our strategy and rebuild a region stronger, more resilient and more united than ever before. I will go.”
The Los Angeles wildfires killed 27 people, destroyed 12,000 structures, and burned more than 60 square miles of land.
The fire further delayed the hearing on the grievances against Lyle and Eric Menendez.
The brothers, who were convicted of shooting their parents Jose and Kitty to death in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989, were scheduled to appear before a judge on January 31st, but will now have to wait until March. Ta.
