Mayor Bass fires fire chief over wildfire management failures

In early January 2025, Los Angeles faced one of the most destructive wildfire incidents in its history, which resulted in significant loss of life and property. Mayor Karen Bass made the decision to remove Fire Chief Kristin Crowley amidst criticism of how the fires were managed. A total of 1,000 firefighters were sent home just before the fires broke out, a move Bass highlighted as a major failure in preparation. Crowley, appointed in 2022, had defended her actions by attributing challenges to budget cuts from the mayor's office, arguing that inadequate funding hampered the Fire Department's efforts. Consequently, her dismissal ignited a public debate regarding accountability and resource management within the city’s fire services, with Crowley’s supporters claiming she was not to blame for the devastating events. Following Crowley's departure, Chief Deputy Ronnie Villanueva stepped in as interim chief, while the city continued to grapple with the aftermath of the wildfires and the ongoing implications of leadership changes within the fire department. The mayor faced backlash for her overseas trip during the fires, and questions arose about communication failures between her office and the fire chief regarding fire risks, ultimately leading to intensified scrutiny of both the leadership and operational protocols of the Los Angeles Fire Department.