Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass fired the Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley over her handling of the Pacific Palisades and Altadena fires which killed 29 people and destroyed 100 structures.

“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,” Mayor Bass said. “Furthermore, a necessary step to an investigation was the President of the Fire Commission telling Chief Crowley to do an after-action report on the fires. The Chief refused. These require her removal. The heroism of our firefighters – during the Palisades fire and every single day – is without question. Bringing new leadership to the Fire Department is what our city needs.” 

Mayor Bass was visiting Ghana when the fires began.

Mayor Bass named Ronnie Villanueva as interim fire chief, who retired seven months ago from the department.

Interim Chief Villanueva retired from the Fire Department as Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations and has decades of experience in fire suppression, emergency management, and the management of thousands of operational and support members of the LAFD in various positions at the Department. 

Before becoming a Chief Officer, Villanueva spent 24 years in the field at active assignments, Mayor Bass added.

Chief Crowley is the first woman to lead the Los Angeles Fire Department.