LOS ANGELES (KABC) — New questions are being raised about the Los Angeles Fire Department’s after-action report on the Palisades Fire.

L.A. City Councilwoman Traci Park, who represents Pacific Palisades, is asking why more resources were not deployed in the area.

The LAFD Fire Commission called the after-action report a roadmap for change, and a new beginning following the most destructive fire in the city’s history – but Park is not satisfied.

“The after-action report raises a lot of questions,” Park said. “Why weren’t more resources deployed or staged in the area knowing that we had just had a fire on Jan. 1 and rekindle activity.”

The Lachman Fire on Jan. 1 was not a focus of the after-action report. The LAFD says the after-action report only covers the first 36 hours of the Palisades Fire on Jan. 7.

“I think it’s hard to answer the questions without taking the Lachman Fire into account,” Park said. “So yes, there’s some level of disappointment that there wasn’t further analysis there.

“Did it factor in at all into the pre-deployment and staging decisions around Jan. 7? Were there any conversations about it? I also have questions about the water supply and who knew about Santa Ynez Reservoir and where water tenders were stationed if they knew that the water system in the Palisades was compromised.”

The Fire Commission met Tuesday to discuss the report and ways to move forward.

LAFD Interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva said he has put in place “several operational efficiencies” to respond to any challenge.

“During red-flag warnings, all staff and apparatus are now recalled immediately. No delays, no exceptions,” said Joe Everett, the incident commander for the Palisades Fire. “… Weekly collaboration between our fire marshal and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power ensures that water pressure hydrant readiness and infrastructure status are continually monitored.”

More reports, including an independent assessment ordered by the City Council and one from the state, will be released in the coming months.

Park hopes answers will come from those. Park is also supporting the campaign for a bond measure to address LAFD staffing and station issues that would be on the ballot in November 2026.


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