Two years ago, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley urged the city’s board members to establish two fully staffed crews dedicated to brush clearance and maintaining wildfire lines. This recommendation was intended to strengthen the part-time team that relied mostly on young volunteers. However, a recent report reveals that despite Crowley’s appeal, the City Council only approved a small portion of the requested funding. Progress on hiring was then delayed by L.A.’s bureaucratic processes.
While some residents have filed lawsuits alleging government mismanagement contributed to this month’s devastating wildfires, legal options are limited. According to a local attorney representing affected homeowners, political action—such as electing new leadership—may be the only real recourse for frustrated residents.
“This is a political failure that could lead to Mayor Karen Bass facing a recall,” said Neama Rahmani, a Los Angeles-based attorney handling multiple wildfire-related lawsuits. “But legally, there’s not much that can be done.” Rahmani explained that state laws largely shield government agencies from being held accountable for failing to prevent fires. “Under the Government Code, public entities have broad immunity and can’t be sued for not stopping fires,” he told Fox News Digital. He added that lawsuits against the City of Los Angeles and the Department of Water and Power are likely to be dismissed.
A memo Crowley sent to the Los Angeles Board of Fire Commissioners in January 2023 highlighted a critical weakness: the absence of a consistently staffed wildland hand crew. She advocated for a full-time team of professionals to reduce reliance on mutual aid from state and county agencies, which also face staffing shortages, as well as the department’s “Cadet Crew” made up of teens and young adults guided by active firefighters.
“The wildland hand crew is essential for ensuring that fire lines remain strong and secure,” Crowley wrote. “Without these resources carefully constructing and supporting fire lines during a wildfire, containment efforts can fail, leading to uncontrolled spread.”
Crowley also pointed out that increasing development in fire-prone regions, coupled with climate change and the Santa Ana winds, had significantly heightened wildfire risks in Los Angeles over the years.
The Cadet Crew, which typically had 10 to 26 participants, focused on physically demanding tasks such as clearing brush. While the program aimed to prepare future firefighters, it experienced frequent turnover as members moved on to other roles within the department.
Crowley urged the city to fund two new hand crews staffed with trained firefighters and paid fire suppression aids who could provide coverage seven days a week. She requested $7 million for the project, with nearly $4 million allocated for salaries and the remainder for vehicles capable of navigating rugged terrain to reach fire lines.
Although some funding has been approved and hiring has begun, the crews reportedly remain non-operational. The fire department has not responded to repeated inquiries for comment.
While government officials may avoid legal consequences, separate lawsuits targeting insurance companies and those allegedly responsible for starting the wildfires remain viable. Rahmani emphasized that the most promising case involves Southern California Edison.
The utility company is currently facing several lawsuits accusing it of playing a role in igniting the Eaton Fire, which has devastated parts of northern Los Angeles County, including Altadena. Rahmani’s firm is actively involved in this litigation and is also assisting victims with insurance claims and government aid applications on a pro bono basis.
Meanwhile, the Palisades Fire, which ravaged the Pacific Palisades community, is being described as the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles’ history.
