Firefighter Raises Concerns Before Palisades Fire

Sworn testimony reveals warnings about unextinguished Lachman fire before devastating Palisades blaze

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Thousands of Pacific Palisades residents have filed a lawsuit against the city and state after losing their homes in the devastating Palisades fire. Sworn depositions from Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, including firefighter Scott Pike, reveal concerns were raised about the incomplete mop-up of the earlier Lachman fire days before the Palisades fire swept through the area.

Why it matters

The lawsuit alleges that local and state authorities failed to properly address hazardous conditions that led to the Palisades fire, which destroyed numerous homes. The testimony from firefighters like Pike suggests officials may have overlooked warnings about the lingering Lachman fire that ultimately reignited and fueled the larger Palisades blaze.

The details

According to Pike's deposition, he was working an overtime shift on January 2nd to help mop up the Lachman fire that had started on New Year's Day in Topanga State Park. Pike said the fire appeared to have moved quickly and left a lot of unburnt fuel, with smoldering coals and crackling still present. He raised concerns that the fire was not fully extinguished, but felt his warnings were "blown off a little bit."

  • The Lachman fire began on January 1 in Topanga State Park.
  • On January 2, firefighter Scott Pike was part of the mop-up crew for the Lachman fire.
  • The Palisades fire later reignited from the Lachman fire on January 7 and swept through the area.

The players

Scott Pike

A 23-year veteran firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department who was part of the crew mopping up the Lachman fire on January 2.

Topanga State Park

The state park where the initial Lachman fire began on January 1.

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What they’re saying

“I saw something, I said something and, to the best of my ability, I thought we could have done more.”

— Scott Pike, Firefighter (nbclosangeles.com)

What’s next

The lawsuit against the city and state is ongoing, with the plaintiffs alleging officials failed to properly address the hazardous conditions that led to the Palisades fire.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of thoroughly extinguishing wildfires and addressing any lingering concerns raised by first responders, as oversights can have devastating consequences for nearby communities.