Los Angeles Fire Chief Jaime Moore revealed Monday that language in the official after-action report following the devastating Palisades fire was softened before public release. This disclosure came as internal evaluations of the fire response were made available to the public for the first time.
Concerns Over Transparency
Moore, who assumed the role of fire chief in November, stated he reviewed multiple drafts of the report and questioned why more direct language had been altered prior to publication. “I looked at the first draft, and I looked at the very final draft, and I really wanted to find out why did this happen,” Moore said. “Why would we try to mislead the public?” He explained that earlier versions of the report were more critical in their assessment, but revisions were made because after-action reports are typically internal documents.
Moore suggested the changes were made to protect the reputations of individuals within the department. “I believe that those drafts occurred because they were trying to protect the reputation of certain individuals,” he said, explaining that internal reports are often highly critical of officers and decision-making processes.
Defending Past Decisions, Outlining Future Steps
The chief also addressed the earlier Lachman fire, which investigators determined sparked the larger Palisades blaze. Moore defended the decision to leave the Lachman fire site, stating that conditions at the time did not suggest an ongoing threat. He explained that crews believed the fire had been fully extinguished after follow-up checks revealed no active flames, despite later reignition due to high winds.
Moore emphasized that the LAFD has since implemented changes to its tactics and protocols, particularly in high-risk areas. These include expanded use of drones for monitoring fires, revised deployment strategies during red flag conditions, and updated recall procedures to ensure faster staffing of resources. The department has also strengthened coordination with the Los Angeles Police Department and the city’s Emergency Management Department regarding evacuations, utilizing alerts like Watch Duty and Genasys Protect.
To further assess the response, Moore has requested the Fire Safety Research Institute, currently reviewing last January’s fires for the state, to include the Lachman fire in its analysis. Additionally, the city has engaged Critical Preparedness and Response Solutions for a separate review of both fires.
What Happens Next
The release of this information could prompt further scrutiny from city officials and the public. It is likely that the Fire Commission will hold additional meetings to discuss the revisions to the after-action report and the implications for future fire response strategies. Depending on the findings of the external reviews, further policy changes or personnel adjustments could be considered. Rebuilding public trust, as Moore acknowledged, will be a key challenge moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the release of the original after-action report drafts?
The release of the drafts occurred as internal evaluations of the Palisades fire were made available to the public for the first time.
Why were changes made to the after-action report?
Moore stated the language was revised because after-action reports are typically internal documents not intended for public consumption, and he believes the revisions were made to protect the reputations of certain individuals.
What steps has the LAFD taken to improve its response to wildfires?
The department has expanded its use of drones, revised deployment strategies during red flag conditions, updated recall procedures, and strengthened coordination with other city agencies regarding evacuations.
As the LAFD works to address the concerns raised by the altered report, how important is complete transparency in emergency response evaluations to fostering public confidence?
