Los Angeles City Fire Chief Jaime Moore is heading up a department that’s facing mounting scrutiny for the Palisades Fire, as well as shrinking morale among the rank and file. He recently discussed this and more on Eyewitness Newsmakers with Marc Brown.
One of many issues the Los Angeles Fire Department is accused of is not properly extinguishing the Lachman Fire, which broke out in Pacific Palisades on Jan. 1, 2025. Chief Moore explained how chaparral from the Lachman Fire held embers deep down in the soil, even though it was undetectable.
“The incident commander believed that that fire was out and directed individuals to pick up the hose. That wind was strong enough to where it blew up the holdover fire to where the ember cast came up. There was still some materials that could burn there and with that wind cascaded it well past that containment line,” Moore said…