L.A. Mayor Karen Bass Directed Palisades Fire Damage Control

Email shows mayor's involvement in handling media inquiries after arson-caused blaze

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A day after federal prosecutors announced that the catastrophic Palisades fire was caused by the rekindling of a smaller arson fire days earlier, Los Angeles city officials were in damage control mode. According to an internal email, the ultimate authority on how to handle the deluge of media inquiries was Mayor Karen Bass.

Why it matters

The Palisades fire caused significant damage and disruption in the affluent Los Angeles neighborhood, raising questions about the city's emergency response and communication with the public. Mayor Bass's direct involvement in managing the fallout highlights the political stakes involved in high-profile local disasters.

The details

The internal email stated that "Any additional interviews with the Fire Chief would likely depend on the Mayor's guidance," indicating Bass's central role in directing the city's messaging and media strategy in the aftermath of the fire.

  • The Palisades fire was announced to be caused by rekindled arson on February 12, 2026.

The players

Karen Bass

The mayor of Los Angeles who directed the city's damage control efforts following the Palisades fire.

Los Angeles Fire Department

The city agency responsible for responding to the Palisades fire, whose communications were overseen by Mayor Bass according to the internal email.

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The takeaway

The mayor's direct involvement in managing the fallout from the Palisades fire highlights the political sensitivities surrounding high-profile local disasters and the importance of transparent communication from city leadership during times of crisis.