A concerning report has emerged regarding the deadly Palisades fire. Text messages reveal that Los Angeles firefighters, battling what was initially the Lachman fire, alerted a battalion chief to remaining smoldering hotspots. Despite these warnings, the firefighters were allegedly ordered to abandon the site. The LA Times initially reported about the firefighter’s warning to their superior.
Federal authorities later determined that the fire reignited, resulting in catastrophic consequences: the destruction of thousands of homes and the tragic loss of twelve lives. While the exact details surrounding the decision to withdraw remain under investigation, the incident raises serious questions about fire management protocols and accountability, especially in light of California’s heightened vulnerability to wildfires, exacerbated by climate change and prolonged drought conditions.