Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has dismissed Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, citing her failure to properly manage the response to last month’s devastating wildfires. The decision follows mounting criticism over the city’s preparedness and response to the fires, which claimed 26 lives, destroyed thousands of homes, and displaced over 150,000 residents.
In a statement, Bass accused Crowley of failing to warn her about the imminent fire risk and mishandling resources during the crisis. “We know that 1,000 firefighters who could have been on duty the morning the fires broke out were instead sent home on Chief Crowley’s watch,” the mayor said. Bass has appointed LAFD veteran Ronnie Villanueva as interim fire chief. She justified the leadership change, stating, “Bringing new leadership to the fire department is what firefighters and the people of Los Angeles deserve.”
Under the city charter, the mayor has the authority to remove department heads, including the fire chief, without city council approval. However, Crowley has 10 days to appeal the decision, which would require a two-thirds council vote (10 members) to overturn. While such a reversal is unlikely, an appeal could intensify political pressure on Bass.
The mayor has already faced criticism for her handling of the crisis. She was out of the country when the fires broke out, having traveled to Ghana in early January despite National Weather Service warnings of heightened wildfire risks due to a major windstorm.
Kristin Crowley, appointed in 2022 as the department’s first female fire chief, prioritized firefighter recruitment, diversity initiatives, and policy modernization. However, her tenure faced increasing controversy, particularly regarding staffing shortages and the city’s wildfire preparedness.
Critics, including retired LAFD chief officers, accused Crowley of mismanaging the wildfire response. In a letter, they highlighted inadequate evacuation plans and insufficient firefighting resources, with many calling for her resignation. Crowley also faced backlash for her focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, with opponents arguing that this emphasis diverted attention from essential firefighting operations.
