L.A. Council Upholds Fire Chief Crowley's Dismissal Amid Wildfire Controversy

The Los Angeles City Council voted 13-2 to uphold Mayor Karen Bass' decision to fire former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, following her controversial handling of the January wildfires. Mayor Bass cited Crowley's failure to deploy 1,000 firefighters who could have responded to the Palisades Fire, as well as her alleged refusal to compile an after-action report. Crowley defended her actions, attributing resource shortages to budget constraints and claiming she did not send firefighters home or neglect to prepare the report. The council's decision came after emotional testimonies from Crowley and her supporters, but ultimately, she failed to secure the necessary votes for reinstatement. Crowley indicated her intention to remain with the department in a lower position while she addressed the council's findings. The ongoing debate highlights tensions between budget management and public safety in the aftermath of the devastating fires.