Ousted L.A. Fire Chief Crowley sues over her dismissal - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Richard WintonFebruary 24, 2026
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Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against Mayor Karen Bass, alleging that Bass orchestrated a campaign of retaliation to protect her political image after the devastating Palisades fire. Crowley claims Bass sought to shift blame for the city's inadequate response to the fire, which killed 12 people and caused significant damage, onto Crowley amid mounting criticism. The lawsuit alleges that Bass left Los Angeles despite knowing about severe weather conditions and made false statements to avoid accountability.
The fire broke out on January 7, 2025, under fierce Santa Ana winds, leading to widespread destruction. Crowley's attorneys argue that she was ousted as Fire Chief in February 2025 after speaking out about budget cuts weakening the department's readiness. They claim Bass' perception of Crowley deteriorated as criticism against her own decisions grew, particularly regarding her absence during the crisis.
Documents reveal a confidential memo suggesting plans to protect Bass and others from reputational harm, issued before an altered after-action report that downplayed LAFD's failures. The lawsuit highlights concerns about firefighter deployment and resource management, with Crowley pointing out ignored warnings about pre-deployment of firefighters.
Bass' senior advisor dismissed the lawsuit as meritless, citing Crowley's failure to predeploy firefighters and her decision to send many home despite known dangers. However, Crowley's lawyers argue that her removal was retaliatory, driven by Bass' need to deflect scrutiny from her own actions during the fire response.
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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/24/2026