LA Mayor Bass Ousts Fire Chief After Wildfire Response Failures

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has ousted Fire Chief Kristin Crowley following a public dispute over the city's response to the recent catastrophic wildfires. Bass accused Crowley of failing to prepare adequately for the fires that devastated the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, resulting in significant loss of life and property. The mayor emphasized that 1,000 firefighters who could have been on duty were sent home under Crowley's command, and she criticized Crowley for not conducting an after-action report on the incident. The decision comes amidst criticism of Bass, who was in Africa during the fires despite prior warnings about dangerous conditions. Crowley has publicly criticized the city for budget cuts that hampered firefighting efforts, leading to a breakdown in communication between her and the mayor's office. Both officials had exchanged blame over the preparedness and response to the disaster, culminating in Crowley’s dismissal as Bass seeks new leadership in the fire department.