"Concerns over a small brush fire that reignited days later into the mammoth Palisades fire the most destructive in Los Angeles history have grown in recent weeks amid reports that firefighters were ordered to leave the original site of the smaller blaze despite their concerns the ground was still smoldering. Now, questions remain about how leaders at the Los Angeles fire department responded to a fire that leveled entire communities, and who within the agency knew about concerns the fire could still pose a threat."
"The LA Times has published a series of bombshell revelations about the initial response to that first blaze, the Lachman fire, in recent weeks, citing text messages revealing that firefighters spoke with their battalion chief shortly after it broke out in the early hours of New Year's Day. The small fire just 8 acres was largely extinguished hours later. But, the Times reports, firefighters were told to roll up their hoses and leave a day later:"
Text messages reveal firefighters spoke with their battalion chief shortly after the Lachman fire ignited in the early hours of New Year's Day. The eight-acre blaze was largely extinguished hours later, but crews were told to roll up hoses and leave the site despite visible smoldering and hot rocks and tree stumps. The Los Angeles Fire Department maintained the fire had been cold-trailed and declared out. Five days later the Palisades fire ignited, driven by 100 mph winds, killing 12 people and destroying more than 6,800 structures. A man has been arrested and charged with maliciously igniting the Lachman fire.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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