Fire Chief Removed Amid Wildfire Fallout

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass removed Fire Chief Kristin Crowley over her handling of January's devastating wildfires. The fires claimed over two dozen lives and destroyed thousands of buildings. Crowley was criticized for sending home 1,000 firefighters and not submitting a required after-action report.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced the removal of Fire Chief Kristin Crowley due to her management of January's wildfires, which resulted in the deaths of more than two dozen people and damaged over 16,000 structures, covering an area larger than Paris.

Bass criticized Crowley for sending 1,000 firefighters home on the day the fires started and for refusing to complete a mandated after-action report. Through a statement, Bass emphasized the dedication of the city's firefighters, stressing the need for new leadership.

The mayor, facing criticism for traveling during the fires, appointed Ronnie Villanueva as interim fire chief following Crowley's dismissal.