LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Mayor Karen Bass said Friday newly released deposition testimony suggesting fire department officials were aware that a New Year’s Day blaze near Pacific Palisades was still smoldering when crews pulled out of the area was “alarming” and would be examined in an independent investigation.
The Lachman Fire, which authorities say was intentionally set early on New Year’s Day 2025, was re-ignited by fierce Santa Ana winds on Jan. 7, 2025, sparking the Palisades Fire that destroyed more than 3,000 structures and killed 12 people.
In newly released videotaped deposition testimony given in connection with lawsuits filed by people who lost their homes in the fire, a Los Angeles firefighter said he notified other firefighters and a captain that the Lachman fire was still actively smoldering while crews were picking up hose lines and vacating the area…