In a dramatic turn of events, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass fired her Fire Chief, Kristin Crowley, just days after the devastating wildfires that wreaked havoc on the city.
This bold move comes as Bass attempts to deflect blame for the destruction caused by the fires, which claimed at least 28 lives and caused widespread damage across Los Angeles, including the destruction of nearly 19,000 buildings.
The Firing That Shook the LAFD
On Friday, February 21, 2025, Bass stormed into Crowley’s office with two lawyers by her side and bluntly told her, “Our relationship is not working out.”
Sources revealed that the meeting lasted a mere two minutes with no emotional exchange.
Crowley was reportedly surprised but not shocked, and after the brief firing announcement, she began packing up her office.
According to one source, Bass seemed to be covering her tracks, protecting herself with the presence of her lawyers.
The reasons for the sudden dismissal are linked to the wildfires that tore through parts of the city in January, including the Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas.
Bass has accused Crowley of sending 1,000 firefighters home instead of keeping them on duty when the fires broke out, a decision that she claims contributed to the scale of the destruction.
Bass Blames Crowley for Lacking Action During Critical Moments
In an official statement, Bass explained that Crowley’s failure to act on the morning of the fires was unacceptable, adding that Crowley had refused to submit an after-action report on the wildfires as requested by the Fire Commission.
Bass said, “We know that 1,000 firefighters that could have been on duty were instead sent home on Chief Crowley’s watch.
These require her removal.”
Despite this, many firefighters and LAFD personnel believe that Crowley was simply a scapegoat in a situation that involved deeper systemic issues.
One veteran firefighter claimed that Bass was trying to deflect responsibility from her own administration’s lack of preparedness, which included budget cuts that directly affected the Fire Department’s resources.
Fury Over Bass’s Handling of the Crisis
Bass, who was previously a congresswoman, has faced intense criticism for her handling of the wildfires, especially after admitting she had not been informed of the high wildfire risk while she was on a trip to Ghana just before the fires erupted.
Critics argue that Bass could have taken more preventive measures and better communicated the risks ahead of time.
One firefighter expressed disbelief, saying, “Bass is talking out of both sides of her mouth.
They were warning about firestorm conditions days before the fire. How could she not have known?”
Meanwhile, the mood among LAFD personnel remains tense, with morale at an all-time low.
The city had already been struggling with a shortage of fire stations and paramedics, and the situation only worsened as firefighters worked tirelessly in response to the devastating blazes.
Many felt the leadership failed them by not adequately preparing for such a catastrophic event.
The Fallout and Uncertainty Over the Future
In an effort to quickly address the crisis, Bass has appointed Ronnie Villanueva, a veteran firefighter with over four decades of experience, as the interim Fire Chief.
However, sources within the department have made it clear that many believe more needs to be done to rebuild trust and morale.
As the city recovers from the destruction, Bass faces mounting pressure to not only rebuild the fire department but to restore public confidence in her leadership.
Crowley, who had been a part of Bass’s administration, may now face further scrutiny.
She has 10 days to appeal her termination to the LA City Council, but her fate remains uncertain as the investigation into the events surrounding the fires continues.
This unprecedented move raises important questions about accountability and leadership in times of crisis, with many wondering if the city’s leaders are doing enough to protect Angelenos from future disasters.