Galling failures that allowed deadly wildfires to sweep Palisades laid bare in damning LAPD report

By JACK TOLEDO

Published: | Updated:

The Los Angeles Police Department has revealed embarrassing failures in its response to the catastrophic Palisades fire in a report that will heap pressure on city leaders.

Cops released their findings on November 4 after a damning inquiry which found breakdowns in communication, specifically with the Los Angeles Fire Department, had devastating consequences during one of the worst wildfires the area has ever seen.

The 92-page review sought to identify areas for improvement but also noted the courageous efforts of emergency responders.

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The findings were presented to the Police Commission at the civilian oversight panel's public meeting on Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Palisades fires started on January 7 and tore through the wealthy coastal neighborhood of Pacific Palisades for 24 days. The blazes killed 12 people, destroyed 7,000 homes, and caused damage worth $150billion.

The fire was described in the document as a 'once-in-a-lifetime cataclysmic event,' which created numerous challenges as evolving conditions forced changes to plans and the lack of experience in handling a crisis of such magnitude.

On the first day of the fire, the police and fire departments were unable to establish proper correspondence with one another despite working out of the same command post.

The agencies were unable to 'collectively establish a unified command structure or identify shared objectives, missions, or strategies,' the report said.

The Los Angeles Police Department revealed a number of galling failures in its response to the catastrophic Palisades fires

The Los Angeles Police Department revealed a number of galling failures in its response to the catastrophic Palisades fires

Cops released their findings on November 4, citing a breakdown in communications with the fire department

Cops released their findings on November 4, citing a breakdown in communications with the fire department

Several times throughout their efforts to set up a control post, the fires, which were moving at 300 yards a minute at one point, would consume their staging areas.

Additionally, downed radio and cellphone towers forced the department to send important physical documents to an outpost located 20 miles away on Zuma Beach, making it difficult to get in contact with officers in the field.

Poor record-keeping also made it unclear how many officers were responding to fires, 'resulting in diminished situational awareness,' according to the report.

At one point the LAPD had over 700 cops responding to the fire during the peak of their operation.

Officers were assisting in multiple areas, including but not limited to helping disabled or elderly residents who were unable to leave their homes.

LAPD assistant chief Michael Rimkunas said it was 'one of the largest and most complex traffic control operations' in the organization's history

LAPD assistant chief Michael Rimkunas said it was 'one of the largest and most complex traffic control operations' in the organization's history

The 92-page review highlighted areas for the officials to improve but also noted the courageous efforts of emergency responders

The 92-page review highlighted areas for the officials to improve but also noted the courageous efforts of emergency responders

Then and now: Drone videos comparison of LA wildfire destruction
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To make matters worse constant confusion about who was in charge of coordinating the situation were a persistent issue.

After National Guard troops arrived, top officials were unclear about the assignments, according to the report.

'Hopefully we don't have to experience another natural disaster, but you never know,' said LAPD assistant chief Michael Rimkunas to the commission.

He added that it was 'one of the largest and most complex traffic control operations' in the organization's history.

The department also failed to provide enough equipment to officers in the field and recommended that more masks and protective gear be issued.

Feds claim that the fire was 'maliciously' started when a smaller blaze called the Lachman fire began on January 1.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, was charged with starting the catastrophic blaze that destroyed thousands of homes

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, was charged with starting the catastrophic blaze that destroyed thousands of homes

The Palisades fires tore through the wealthy coastal neighborhood of Pacific Palisades for 24 days – killing 12 people, destroying 7,000 homes, and causing damage worth $150billion

The Palisades fires tore through the wealthy coastal neighborhood of Pacific Palisades for 24 days – killing 12 people, destroying 7,000 homes, and causing damage worth $150billion

Alleged Palisades wildfire starter stopped by cops before arrest
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Firefighters appeared to have put it out, but did not realize that it had smoldered unnoticed underground, which, in high winds, caused it to rekindle days later.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, was charged with starting the catastrophic blaze that destroyed thousands of homes.

Acting US attorney Bill Essayli said: 'The complaint alleges that Rinderknecht started a fire in Pacific Palisades on New Year's Day - a blaze that eventually turned into one of the most destructive fires in Los Angeles history, causing death and widespread destruction.

'Among the evidence that was collected from his digital devices was an image he generated on ChatGPT depicting a burning city.'

In July last year, Rinderknecht asked AI to make an image showing a hellish fire scene where people were 'watching the world burn down, watching the people struggle. They are laughing, enjoying themselves, and dancing,' the complaint claimed.

Officials said they believe the Palisades Fire was a 'holdover fire' - a continuation of the Lachman Fire allegedly started by Rinderknecht.

Communication with the lead agency, the Los Angeles Fire Department, was lackluster, according to the report [Former LAFD chief Kristin Crowley pictured]

Communication with the lead agency, the Los Angeles Fire Department, was lackluster, according to the report [Former LAFD chief Kristin Crowley pictured]

LA Mayor Karen Bass demanded her Fire Department cut $49million from its budget a week before the fire

LA Mayor Karen Bass demanded her Fire Department cut $49million from its budget a week before the fire

Timelapse reveals growing smoke and flames of Palisades fire overnight
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Rinderknecht, who has pleaded not guilty, was arrested in Florida, according to officials. His first court appearance was scheduled for today at 1.30pm in Orlando.

He was charged with destruction of property by means of fire - a felony that carries a mandatory minimum five-year prison sentence and is punishable by up to 20 years. The case continues.

Comments (68)

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S
SliderHarpLand, Minneapolis, United States, 16 minutes ago

Are you sure you want to delete this comment?

This what happens when select a d¥k€ for Fire Chief, a M 0 R 0 N for Mayor, and a lying snake for Governor.

S
SliderHarpLand, Minneapolis, United States, 18 minutes ago

Are you sure you want to delete this comment?

This what happens when select a d¥k€ for fir chief, a M 0 R 0 N for Mayor, and a lying snake for Governor.

C
CCH201, tallahassee, United States, 1 hour ago

Are you sure you want to delete this comment?

When the residents who lost homes finally decide to pursue restitution maybe those responsible will be held accountable! Mainly, the mayor & fire chief will be a great start.

b
blackhornet, Atlanta , Uzbekistan, 50 minutes ago

Are you sure you want to delete this comment?

The mayor? What exactly was she supposed to do differently? The fire burned for 24 days you really think they didn't do everything possible to stop it? You think the mayor started it? Maybe start by blaming the guy who actually caused the fire. If he....

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