Los Angeles, CANew whistleblower testimony and firefighter texts inside the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) suggest the deadly Palisades fire was never fully extinguished, and firefighter warnings–they detected smoldering hot spots on January 2–were brushed aside. (See timeline below.)
According to federal agents, the Palisades–or Lachman–fire was caused by alleged arsonist Jonathan Rinderknecht. (NBC Los Angeles reported yesterday that he threatened to torch his sister’s home and feds have urged the judge to deny bail–the bail hearing is slated for today.)
Some experts say the initial fire could have been controlled or contained, if not for the LAFD’s inaction, such as not using thermal-imaging tools and ordering firefighters to leave when the fire was not fully extinguished.
On November 11, the LA Times reported how much the LAFD did not include in its after-action Palisades fire report, which was made public. And how the LAFD kept secret its order to firefighters to leave the scene. Soon after the report, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass requested a full investigation. She said the news is “tremendously alarming.”
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