LA Mayor Fires Fire Chief Over Wildfires

The News

Mayor Karen Bass on Friday ousted Fire Chief Kristin Crowley amid tensions between the two over the way this year's deadly fires were handled.

Bass said that she had decided to fire Crowley “in the best interests of Los Angeles’ public safety, and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department."

“We know that 1,000 firefighters that could have been on duty on the morning the fires broke out were instead sent home on Chief Crowley’s watch," the mayor said in a statement.

Timeline

January 7, 2025 – Wildfires Erupt

• The Palisades Fire and other wind-driven wildfires break out across the Los Angeles area, fueled by drought and strong winds.

• Emergency services struggle to contain the fast-moving flames.

January 8, 2025 – Fatalities Confirmed

• Officials report five confirmed deaths as the fires spread rapidly, forcing over 100,000 residents to evacuate.

• LAFD faces criticism over its slow response and lack of personnel.

Mid-January 2025 – Mayor Bass Returns Amid Crisis

• Bass cuts short an official trip to Ghana and returns to Los Angeles after backlash over her absence during the disaster.

• She meets with Chief Crowley to assess the wildfire situation.

Late January 2025 – Death Toll Rises, Pressure Mounts

• The wildfires are finally contained after 29 fatalities and over 18,000 structures destroyed.

• City leaders demand an after-action report from LAFD, but Crowley does not submit one, citing an independent investigation already underway.

Early February 2025 – Tensions Escalate

• Bass publicly criticizes Crowley, stating that LAFD was unprepared and failed to deploy resources effectively.

• Crowley’s supporters argue that budget cuts and staffing shortages—not leadership failures—were to blame for the slow response.

February 21, 2025 – Crowley Fired

• Bass dismisses Crowley in a private meeting, citing leadership failures and lack of accountability.

• Retired Chief Deputy Ronnie Villanueva is appointed as interim fire chief.

Reactions

Monica Rodriguez (LA city councilmembe) expressed outrage, calling Crowley’s dismissal “scapegoating at its worst” and arguing that she was the most qualified person to lead the department.

Freddy Escobar (LA Fire Department union boss) accused Bass of making Crowley a scapegoat, stating “she’s being terminated for telling the truth” about underfunding and staffing shortages.

Rick Caruso (former mayoral candidate) criticized the decision, saying “Crowley exposed severe and ill-conceived budget cuts, and that should not be a firing offense.”

Karen Bass defended her decision, stating that “Los Angeles needs a fire chief who takes responsibility and delivers results, not excuses.”

What’s Next

Bass announced that the interim Fire Chief will be Chief Ronnie Villanueva.

Bass added that her office will also continue a national search "with firefighters and Angelenos about what they want to see in their next permanent chief."