Weather 
LOS ANGELES () — Los Angeles City Fire Chief Jaime Moore is heading up a department that’s facing mounting scrutiny for the Palisades Fire, as well as shrinking morale among the rank and file. He recently discussed this and more on Eyewitness Newsmakers with Marc Brown.
One of many issues the Los Angeles Fire Department is accused of is not properly extinguishing the Lachman Fire, which broke out in Pacific Palisades on Jan. 1, 2025. Chief Moore explained how chaparral from the Lachman Fire held embers deep down in the soil, even though it was undetectable.
“The incident commander believed that that fire was out and directed individuals to pick up the hose. That wind was strong enough to where it blew up the holdover fire to where the ember cast came up. There was still some materials that could burn there and with that wind cascaded it well past that containment line,” Moore said.
Chief Moore also discussed pre-deployment, the after-action report and policy changes, specifically when it comes to holdover fires.
“We’ve already started to implement new policies and procedures with mop-up so we can avoid any type of holdover fire in the future. We’ve increased the level of training for our members,” explained Moore.
He went on to talk about another potential major change to the LAFD.
“The other thing is to take this as an opportunity to create a wildland division and that’s something I’m exploring, and that’s something that the the mayor has been supportive of.”
For more from Chief Jaime Moore about the future of the LAFD, watch the full episode of Eyewitness Newsmakers with Marc Brown in the media player above.
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