Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, facing growing criticism, was preparing to implement significant budget cuts to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) just one week before the Pacific Palisades fire began on January 9. Prior to these cuts, the city’s firefighting budget had already been reduced by about two percent, which led to concerns about the department’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies. Sources within the LAFD revealed that Bass had ordered an additional $49 million in budget cuts, which would have forced the closure of 16 fire stations and weakened the department’s capacity to handle wildfires and other emergencies.
A leaked memo dated January 6, obtained by the Daily Mail, indicated that these drastic cuts were part of ongoing budget reductions. The memo, sent by LAFD officials to division chiefs and captains after a tense meeting between Bass and LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley, highlighted the severe consequences of such reductions, noting that closing 16 stations could result in the loss of approximately 750 firefighters. The memo warned that such cuts would significantly hinder the department’s ability to respond to emergencies, especially as wildfires erupted throughout the region.
Before the fires started, there were concerns within the department about insufficient resources, including aging fire trucks and a shortage of paramedics. The fire department was already overwhelmed, dealing with an unusually high call volume, and morale was suffering as personnel struggled to meet demand. Chief Crowley had warned the mayor in December about the impact of previous budget cuts on training, fire prevention, and emergency response capabilities.
As of January 12, the Pacific Palisades fire was only 11% contained, while the Eaton Fire, which had devastated neighborhoods in Pasadena and Altadena, was at just 3% containment. At least 16 people have died in the fires, with more casualties expected as search operations continue.
