Former LAFD Chief Sues LA Over Palisades Fire Fallout

Kristin Crowley alleges Mayor Karen Bass fired her to avoid accountability for budget cuts that worsened the deadly 2025 blaze.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 8:19pm

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Former Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley has filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming her termination by Mayor Karen Bass was an act of illegal retaliation. Crowley alleges the deadly Palisades Fire in 2025 was exacerbated by a $17.6 million budget cut and the Mayor's absence during a diplomatic trip to Ghana, and that the Mayor's office blamed her to avoid accountability.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between city leadership and public safety officials, as well as questions about budget priorities and emergency preparedness in the face of growing climate-related threats like wildfires. The outcome could have significant implications for the LAFD's future leadership and resources.

The details

In her lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Crowley claims the Bass administration ignored repeated warnings about budget cuts and equipment failures before firing her to "avoid accountability." The suit alleges violations of the Labor Code and state Constitution. Crowley's legal team contends the Fire Department was intentionally hindered by the $17.6 million budget cut for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, and that Mayor Bass was out of the country when the Palisades Fire erupted despite National Weather Service warnings.

  • In July 2024, the Bass administration reportedly cut the LAFD operating budget by $17.6 million.
  • The Palisades Fire occurred in January 2025, when Mayor Bass was on a diplomatic trip to Ghana.
  • On February 21, 2025, Mayor Bass officially removed Crowley as LAFD Chief.
  • In late 2025, the LA City Council voted 13-2 to reject Crowley's appeal of her termination.
  • On February 20, 2026, Crowley filed a formal lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The players

Kristin Crowley

The former Fire Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department who is suing the city for wrongful termination.

Karen Bass

The Mayor of Los Angeles who removed Crowley from her position as LAFD Chief.

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)

The municipal fire department of Los Angeles that was impacted by budget cuts and leadership changes during the Palisades Fire.

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What they’re saying

“Bass reversed course. She sought to avoid accountability by shifting blame and lying... claims contradicted by public records and Bass' own prior statements.”

— Kristin Crowley (Los Angeles Superior Court filing)

“Acting in the best interests of Los Angeles' public safety, and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department, I have removed Kristin Crowley as Fire Chief.”

— Mayor Karen Bass (Official statement)

What’s next

The city must now file a formal response to Crowley's lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court. The legal discovery process is expected to force the release of internal communications regarding the 2024 budget decisions and the Mayor's travel logs during the Palisades Fire emergency.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between city leadership and public safety officials, as well as questions about budget priorities and emergency preparedness in the face of growing climate-related threats like wildfires. The outcome could have significant implications for the LAFD's future leadership and resources.