Sen. Rick Scott, Chair Ron Johnson Request Records from LAFD for Congressional Investigation into Pacific Palisades Wildfire

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Rick Scott and Senator Ron Johnson, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), sent letters to former Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Fire Chief Kristin Crowley and interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva requesting records and information related to LAFD's preparedness and response to the Pacific Palisades wildfires in January 2025. This comes as part of a congressional investigation launched by the senators last week into the deadly Palisades Fire that devastated the Pacific Palisades community in Los Angeles, resulting in billions of dollars in property damage and the tragic loss of life.

Read the letter to former Chief Crowley below or both letters HERE.

Dear Ms. Crowley:

In January 2025, Los Angeles County, California was devastated by a number of wildfires, including the Palisades fire, which caused billions of dollars in damage to homes and businesses and resulted in loss of life. Public reports have since raised questions about Los Angeles County wildfire preparations and the response to the January 2025 wildfires, including the Palisades fire. For example, reports have alleged that, despite repeated pleas for additional resources and personnel, Los Angeles slashed the Los Angeles Fire Department's (LAFD) operational budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 by nearly $18 million and 61 positions. Further, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's July 2025 preliminary report found issues with critical water systems necessary for fire suppression, such as fire hydrants losing pressure.

Pursuant to Senate Resolution 94 (119th Cong.), the United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (the "Subcommittee") is conducting a review of the Los Angeles County wildfire mitigation and suppression efforts, including the response to the Palisades fire. In order to assist the Subcommittee in its review please provide the following information and records. Unless otherwise stated, the period of time for this request shall be February 1, 2022, to present.

1. All records referring or relating to the Palisades fire and response between December 28, 2024, and present.
2. All records referring or relating to wildfire prevention, mitigation, and response measures, including but not limited to:
3. 1. funding and budget requests;
   2. training;
   3. fire prevention support;
   4. critical technology replacement;
   5. staffing increases;
   6. improvements to facilities and infrastructure;
   7. the stocking of field resources;
   8. standard operating procedures for communications during a wildfire; and
   9. after-action reports from the Palisades fire.
4. All records referring or relating to the pre-deployment of assets and personnel for the Palisades fire, including but not limited to the staffing of LAFD's front-line fire engines, fire trucks, and paramedic ambulances, as well as the hiring and detailing of additional firefighters in anticipation of the weather event.
5. All records referring or relating to the City of Los Angeles' Prioritized Critical Hiring (hiring freeze), the existence of critical civilian vacancies, and the reduction of Overtime Variable Staffing Hours (V-Hours).
6. All records referring or relating to the International Association of Fire Fighters' study and recommendations regarding the LAFD, including report drafts.
7. All records referring or relating to the pre-deployment of resources responding to an active weather event during your entire tenure as Fire Chief.
8. All communications referring or relating to wildfire prevention, mitigation, or suppression between you and any employee or official with the following entities:
9. 1. Los Angeles Mayor's Office;
   2. Office of the Governor of California;
   3. LAFD;
   4. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power; and
   5. Any federal agency or department.
10. All records referring or relating to an after-action report for the Palisades fire. Please include documents and communications regarding how the Tyler Izen investigation and the Fire Research Safety Institute investigation influenced the contents of the after-action report.
11. All records referring or relating to adverse employment actions you sustained in connection with the Palisades fire, including but not limited to your removal as Fire Chief on February 21, 2025.

Please produce this information as soon as possible, but no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on October 1, 2025. In addition, please preserve all records referring or relating to wildfire suppression, mitigation, or response. If you have any questions about this request, please contact Subcommittee staff at (202) 224-3721 and 202-224-0909. Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter.

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