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By Anna Commander
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' office denied a report that she dismissed Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley on Friday after the two met amid the ongoing wildfires.
Why It Matters
Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom have been hit with intense backlash as wildfires ravage Los Angeles County. Newsom on Friday announced that he is requesting a review concerning the loss of water pressure affecting fire hydrants in Los Angeles County. Newsom also invited President-elect Donald Trump to visit to devastated areas in a post on Friday.
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Crowley has faced backlash concerning the wildfires amid low water pressure issues.
What To Know
Crowley and Bass met on Friday afternoon as the Palisades and Eaton fires continue burning. Immediate details of the meeting are unknown, but Bass' office told Newsweek via email that "The Mayor and Chief met. The priority remains fighting these fires and protecting Angelenos."
Crowley also spoke to CNN, warning that the department does not have enough firefighters, and that they are understaffed and also short on resources. "The fire department needs help," Crowley said while speaking to Jake Tapper.
In a report by the Daily Mail on Friday night, the outlet said: "LA Fire Chief is dismissed by Mayor Karen Bass after speaking out over cuts to her department as deadly blazes devastate city."
In an email to Newsweek following the report, Bass' office said, "This is false."
As of 7:35 p.m. PT, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said that the Palisades fire was 8 percent contained. It has spread across 21,317 acres and the cause is under investigation.
The Eaton fire, ravaging Pasadena and Altadena, has engulfed 14,117 acres, per the 7:23 p.m. PT update from CAL FIRE. It's 3 percent contained and the cause is also to be determined.
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What People Are Saying
Fox LA Anchor Marla Tellez said on X, formerly Twitter: "#BREAKING the @MayorOfLA office is denying reports Mayor Bass fired @LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley after this moment ⬇️Today Chief Crowley admitted to our @GigiGraciette the city's recent budget cuts hindered her department's ability to fight the raging wildfires. Crowley says the city failed her dept. Her comments come a day after the @MayorOfLA said the budget cuts didn't impact the firefights."
Trump said in a Thursday post on Truth Social: "Fire is spreading rapidly for 3 days — ZERO CONTAINMENT. Nobody has ever seen such failed numbers before! Gross incompetence by Gavin Newscum and Karen Bass....And Biden's FEMA has no money — all wasted on the Green New Scam! L.A. is a total wipeout!!!"
Bass on Friday posted to X about her call with President Joe Biden: "I was just on a call with @POTUS this morning for an update on wildfires affecting Los Angeles. 100% of disaster response costs are being covered by our federal partners. That means immediate relief for our firefighters and more resources. Thank you Mr. President for supporting our communities. These funds will help Los Angeles build back stronger during this devastating time."
Newsom discussed insurance issues for the destroyed areas in a post to X: "California is preventing insurance companies from canceling home coverage for LA wildfire victims in impacted zip codes over the next year. The folks in these communities have suffered enough. They should not have to deal with the stress of home insurance on top of it all."
What Happens Next
Santa Ana winds could pick up over the weekend and potentially into next week, National Weather Service Meteorologist Todd Hall told The New York Times.
Update 1/10/25, 10:37 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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