Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Chief Kristin Crowley is facing mounting pressure to resign following accusations of mismanagement in handling the recent Los Angeles wildfires. Several LAFD chief officers have expressed concerns about her leadership, citing failures in wildfire preparedness and response.
Devastating Wildfires and Government Response
Since January 7th, Los Angeles County has been ravaged by multiple wildfires, including the Palisades Fire, which has burned approximately 23,700 acres, caused 10 deaths, forced over 105,000 evacuations, and destroyed 5,300 structures. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire has burned more than 14,100 acres, claimed 17 lives, displaced 100,000 people, and destroyed 7,000 structures. Despite efforts to contain the blazes, the Palisades Fire remains only 27% contained, while the Eaton Fire is at 65% containment.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have both come under heavy criticism for their handling of the crisis. Newsom, who has faced backlash for his administration’s lack of wildfire preparedness, is now the target of a new recall effort, with political figures accusing him of failing to address California’s recurring wildfire threats.
Mayor Bass, on the other hand, is facing criticism for her budget decisions and travel plans. She cut $17.5 million from the LAFD budget in 2024, traveled abroad to Ghana despite wildfire risks, and failed to respond adequately in the critical early hours of the disaster. While Bass admitted her overseas trip was a mistake, she has yet to address calls for her resignation or potential recall.
Chief Crowley Under Fire
While city and county emergency service leaders have generally been seen as the more reliable figures during the crisis, Chief Crowley’s leadership has now come under scrutiny. Initially praised for her calm public demeanor and frequent press updates, her handling of the fires is now being questioned by both active and retired LAFD officers.
A key criticism centers around the failure to pre-deploy firefighters and equipment ahead of the anticipated high winds. Reports suggest that 1,000 firefighters were not on standby, and additional fire trucks were not positioned in the Palisades—a decision former LAFD assistant chief Patrick Butler called “unfathomable” and reflective of “extreme incompetence.”
In a letter signed by multiple chief officers, Crowley’s leadership was openly challenged:
“A large number of chief officers do not believe you are up to the task.”
Growing Calls for Resignation
Los Angeles County pollster Manny Rodriguez noted that while Newsom and Bass initially took most of the public’s frustration, Crowley’s standing has dramatically declined:
“Bass is already deeply unpopular in L.A., but Crowley should have been untouchable. Now, after these failures came to light, she may not survive this either.”
With public anger rising and investigations expected after the fires are contained, both Bass and Crowley may struggle to remain in office through 2025.
As of Friday, Chief Crowley has yet to respond to the resignation demands, with the LAFD stating that she is “focused on mitigating the fires.” However, as scrutiny intensifies, her future as LAFD Chief remains uncertain.
