Editor’s note: This report was published shortly before Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced the removal of LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley.
In the days following the Palisades and Eaton fires, a barrage of requests for information hit public agencies as news outlets, including KTLA, filed public records requests seeking answers about the decision-making process during those critical days of fire response.
While many records requests are still pending or being withheld due to ongoing investigations, on Feb. 19, KTLA received 357 pages of text messages to and from Chief Kristin Crowley of the LAFD during the critical days of the Palisades Fire and its aftermath.
The texts paint a picture of the calm before the Santa Ana windstorm, which quickly escalated into a once-in-a-generation firestorm, with the LAFD and the city’s response at the center of it all. Many of the pages were entirely redacted, and many names were redacted, but not all.
Ahead of the fires, Carol Parks from the city’s Emergency Management Department messaged the chiefs of LAFD and LAPD:
“… the City’s EOC will be activated at Level 3 (lowest level with EMD staff) beginning at 0800 hours tomorrow and for the duration of this adverse weather event. Should conditions necessitate us elevating the EOC status, the three of us will need to remain in close contact…”
Within hours, Parks messaged again, asking about Level 2 and then Level 1 — the city’s highest level of response. By this time, the Palisades was burning down, and the Eaton Fire would soon be carving its own path of destruction.
Former LAPD Chief Michel Moore: “Kristin, what a tragedy in the Palisades. Prayers for you and your people. Mike Moore”
LA28 Chairman Casey Wasserman: “Sending you my best thoughts during this crazy day. We are here to support the department however you need. Casey Wasserman”
Former L.A. County Fire Chief Daryl Osby: “Chief Crowley, Daryl Osby here, reaching out in support as I understand how difficult/dynamic your position is & I’m here if you need anything”
Elected leaders descended on the L.A. area. The top fire chiefs from area departments debated who could pick up the U.S. Fire Administrator from the airport. Crowley asked, “What airline? And need to know their expectations if they are visiting any sites tonight.” Another chief replied, “Good question. If she’s going to the hotel tonight, she’s used to taking a shuttle or Uber.”
U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia reached out to see if the chief could join him on CNN. The governor came to town. This from an unidentified sender:
“Good morning, I just got word that Governor Newsom is planning to stop by at the sunset fire between nine and ten this morning. I will be with him but obviously since this is within the city, I want to make sure that you are aware…”
Then hours later, from the same sender:
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) 
A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope) 
The Palisades Fire burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Garcia) 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 8: A firefighter watches the flames from the Palisades Fire burning homes on the Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The fast-moving wildfire has grown to more than 2900-acres and is threatening homes in the coastal neighborhood amid intense Santa Ana Winds and dry conditions in Southern California. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images) 
The Palisades Fire burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
“Your folks were phenomenal as expected. Thank you so much. The governor was very impressed.”
Developer Rick Caruso of Palisades Village, the Grove and the Americana at Brand, as well as a one-time and perhaps future candidate for L.A. mayor, is believed to be mentioned here:
“Hi Ma’am – Mr. Caruso would like to view PV tomorrow. Would you be available to meet with or ride through the area?”
Palisades Village largely survived the fires, but questions about the fire response came quickly. Questions about water pressure in the Palisades were a central focus. People reached out to the chief to run through their talking points.
Public Information Officer Erik Scott reached out to the chief: “There’s been an abundance of inquiries regarding water pressure and it’s apparently pretty viral on social media, including Trump. When asked, this is what I’m saying: We did experience some challenges with water pressure while battling the Pacific Palisades Fire. LADWP proactively filled all available water storage tanks, including three 1-million gallon tanks located in the Palisades area. However, water availability was impacted at higher elevations, which affected some fire hydrants due to limited replenishment of water tanks in those areas. The extreme demand caused a slower refill rate for these tanks, which created a challenge for our firefighting effort.”
The L.A. County fire chief reached out to Crowley as others were asking questions.
“Fox is trying to get a comment from us on: (1) LA City allegedly not wanting to pay for water load fire hawks and using LA City helicopters which carry less water. Is this true and why was this done? (2) Report that Mayor Bass cut $17.6 million from fire department funding. What are our thoughts given what’s happened in the past few days? Our response: The Los Angeles County Fire Department is unable to verify or comment on Los Angeles Fire Department’s funding or operational decisions.”
One thing that is not part of the texts—any meaningful conversations between the mayor and Crowley. If they were communicating regularly, it was with a different method of communication—perhaps disappearing Google Chats. As criticism grew over the fire response, the chief deputy city attorney reached out:
“Hello Chief. This is Chief Deputy City Attorney Denise Mills. We are asking the Mayor and ITA to temporarily shut off G-chat until at least Friday. Will this create any disastrous effects with respect to your department’s operations (i.e., do you rely on G-chat for emergency communications)? Please let me know ASAP. Thank you.”
Much has been made of the chief’s (by now) well-publicized interview where she said the city had let down the LAFD through years of neglect and budget cuts. That triggered an outpouring of messages to the chief:
An aerial view shows the devastation left by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades section of Los Angeles, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) 
A lone residence is left standing amid the devastation from the Palisades Fire, in an aerial view, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) 
Properties damaged by the Palisades Fire are seen from a coastline perspective in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
“Hey – you did an outstanding job Chief with Fox LA news in your office! Great freakin’ job. You got to call it like it is. And you did just that! It cannot be easy but you did it! You weren’t able to say that stuff with Bass right next to you at all the big press conferences. You need to get on the national news channels now and ensure that message gets out there…”
“Chief, thank you! That was heroic.”
“Chief, continue to stand strong for all of us. I know there is a lot on your shoulders so try to get some rest.”
“Chief, been praying for you and the troops. Saw your interviews today. AWESOME!!! Proud to know you. Way to stand up for what’s right! True leadership.”
“Chief, supporting you 200%. Just as you are not a politician, those in legislative roles are not firefighters. People need to know these budget cuts are crippling for firefighters to do their job. And although you guys are giving it your all with what you have—because that’s just what you do—it’s about making sure we are not REACTIVE in the future and well prepared. So keep fighting for this budget, your firefighters, and paramedics.”
“Hi Chief – I know you’re busy so no need to respond. I wanted to take a moment and let you know that I am so thankful for your leadership. I’ve had a front-row seat to the uphill battle you have faced since you took over and this new tragedy must seem like a never-ending marathon. The dedication and bravery of the FF is beyond admirable. I am thankful and humbled to know and support the men and women of the LAFD.”
The floodgates of criticism came as well. The LAFD chief was called into a meeting with the mayor.
An unknown sender messaged the Chief: “Getting mixed news reports about your future employment. If you need expert testimony in the future or simply a Jersey guy to come out there and straighten things out with the pols, you have my number. PS you and your folks are doing an amazing job.”
Crowley replied: “Good to hear from you. I have not been fired. Thanks for looking out for me.”
That, however, changed Friday morning with Crowley’s dismissal by Bass.
