Mayor Bass denies ordering changes to Palisades Fire report

City refutes claims that critical language was revised in after-action review at mayor's request

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has denied allegations that she intervened to soften a critical after-action review of the city's fire department response to the deadly Palisades Fire. The Los Angeles Times reported that an early draft of the report stated the department's pre-deployment decisions 'did not align' with policy, but this language was revised in the final version to say the LAFD's plan went 'above and beyond' requirements. Bass' office has firmly rejected the claims, stating she only asked the department to ensure accuracy and made no changes to the drafts.

Why it matters

The controversy highlights tensions over the city's handling of the Palisades Fire, which resulted in the death of a firefighter. The allegations, if true, would raise questions about political influence over the fire department's accountability measures and transparency around its response.

The details

According to the LA Times report, two sources familiar with discussions inside the mayor's office said Bass wanted portions of the after-action report removed or rewritten, as she felt an early draft exposed the city to potential legal liability. The Times said changes were made after a conversation between Bass and then-interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva. The initial draft stated the department's pre-deployment decisions 'did not align' with policy, but this was revised to say the plan went 'above and beyond' requirements. Other critical sections were also reportedly removed or reframed.

  • The Palisades Fire occurred in 2026.
  • The after-action report was published in early 2026.

The players

Mayor Karen Bass

The current mayor of Los Angeles who has denied allegations of intervening to soften the after-action report on the Palisades Fire.

Ronnie Villanueva

The former interim fire chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department who allegedly spoke with Mayor Bass about revising the after-action report.

Kristin Crowley

The former fire chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department who ordered an independent investigation into the Lachman Fire, which later flared into the Palisades Fire.

Jim Moore

The current fire chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department who ordered the independent investigation into the Lachman and Palisades Fires.

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What they’re saying

“Mayor Bass has been unequivocal for months — she reviewed an early draft of the report and only asked the LAFD to make sure it was accurate on issues like weather and budget. She and her staff made no changes to the drafts. The Mayor has been clear about her concerns regarding pre-deployment and the LAFD's response to the fire, which is why there is new leadership at LAFD and why she called for an independent review of the Lachman Fire mop-up. There is absolutely no reason why she would request those details be altered or erased when she herself has been critical of the response to the fire – full stop. She has said this for months. This is muckraking journalism at its lowest form. It is dangerous and irresponsible for Los Angeles Times reporters to rely on third-hand unsourced information to make unsubstantiated character attacks to advance a narrative that is false.”

— Mayor Karen Bass (Mayor's Office Statement)

What’s next

The independent investigation ordered by Fire Chief Jim Moore into the Lachman and Palisades Fires is expected to be completed and released in the coming months.

The takeaway

This controversy highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the aftermath of major emergencies like the Palisades Fire. While the mayor denies any improper influence, the allegations raise concerns about political interference in the fire department's self-assessment process, which is crucial for identifying areas for improvement and rebuilding public trust.