LAFD records show no sign of 'cold trailing' again at Lachman fire, as interim chief had claimed

"A dispatch log obtained by The Times, however, shows that firefighters arrived at the scene that day and quickly reported seeing no smoke. They then canceled the dispatch for another engine that was on the way, clearing the call within 34 minutes. The log does not mention cold trailing. It's unclear if crews took any other actions during the call, because the LAFD has not answered questions about it."

""We went back over there again. We dug it all out again. We put ladders on it. We did everything that we could do - cold-trail again," Villanueva told The Times on Oct. 8. "We did all of that.""

"The conflict between the LAFD's statements and its own records is likely to intensify frustration and anger among Palisades fire victims over contradictory and incomplete information about what was done to protect their community. With the first anniversary approaching, gaps remain in what the LAFD has told the public about what it did to prepare for and respond to the fire, which killed 12 people"

Federal investigators determined the Palisades fire began when a smaller Jan. 1 Lachman fire reignited. LAFD officials maintained that crews returned on Jan. 3 and cold-trailed, dug out hot spots, and completed mop-up. Agency records, however, show firefighters reported no smoke on Jan. 3, canceled another engine, and cleared the call within 34 minutes, with no mention of cold trailing. The LAFD has not explained the discrepancy or answered questions about the service call. Contradictory statements and incomplete records are increasing frustration among Palisades fire victims as gaps remain about preparation and response to the blaze that killed 12 people.

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