US EditionMayor Bass faces backlash over allegations she led ‘watering down’ of Palisades fire report
Mayor Bass denies directing changes to the after-action report on the deadly Palisades fire that removed criticisms of staffing and deployment, though multiple sources say edits were made to reduce legal risks.
- On Wednesday, Mayor Karen Bass' office denied she directed watering down of the after-action report, saying she only asked the Los Angeles Fire Department to fact-check weather and budget details.
- The Palisades fire began on Jan. 7, 2025 and burned 23,448 acres, killing 12 and destroying about 6,800 structures in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles.
- According to reporting, edits to the draft softened criticism by renaming a 'failures' section to 'primary challenges' and removing passages about guideline violations and crews waiting for assignments.
- Fire Chief Jaime Moore acknowledged edits reduced criticism, commissioned an independent probe into the Lachman Fire with the Fire Safety Research Institute, and said most of the 42 recommendations have been implemented, while Lindsey Horvath, Los Angeles County Supervisor, urged further investigation.
- Amid growing scrutiny, two confidants say they are prepared to testify under oath, while Rick Caruso and residents called the report a 'cover-up' on X.
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45 Articles
LA mayoral race upended by allegations Bass altered fire report
The Los Angeles mayoral race plunged into chaos this week after a series of dramatic developments: Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass (D) was accused of tampering with a vital wildfire report, a leading challenger abruptly exited the race following a personal tragedy, a new challenger threw his hat into the ring, and Bass’s 2022 opponent hinted at a possible last-minute entry just before the filing deadline. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stands during a …
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Accused of Altering LAFD Report on Wildfires to Lessen City's Liability
Karen Bass – wiki commons Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is accused of making changes to a report by the LAFD following last year’s wildfires because she allegedly wanted to lessen the city’s liability over their response to the disaster. Bass and Governor Newsom have been widely criticized for how they handled the fires and for the lack of rebuilding a year after the blaze. Naturally, Bass denies that she altered the LAFD report in any way. FOX N…
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Denies Altering Palisades Fire Report, Despite Evidence That She Did
February 6, 2026 -- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has strongly denied allegations that she intervened to soften or alter key sections of an official after-action report on the devastating January 2025 Palisades Fire, which claimed multiple lives and destroyed thousands of structures across the Westside. A Los Angeles Times investigation published February 4 cited sources familiar with the...
If Not for Mayor Bass, Palisades Might Never Have Burned Down
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is responsible for allowing a fire to smolder, which led to the Palisades fire. She is responsible for the lies in the post-fire report. The mayor is also responsible for the inaction on rebuilding homes after the fire. Given all that, she feels confident enough to run for re-election. The […] The post If Not for Mayor Bass, Palisades Might Never Have Burned Down appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.
Mayor Bass facing blowback over explosive report that she altered wildfire report to downplay city's role
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass allegedly altered a critical wildfire report to reduce city liability, according to sources, though Bass denies interfering with the document.
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