LAFD continues to not answer ABC7's questions on Lachman Fire that later turned into Palisades Fire
PACIFIC PALISADES, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- ABC7 On Your Side Investigates keeps pushing the Los Angeles Fire Department for answers on how it watched over the Lachman burn scar before it turned into the deadly Palisades Fire, but as of now, our questions remain unanswered.
When Eyewitness News was told on Thursday that an interview with the department was unlikely, we sent the department a series of written questions that, as of now, we have not received a response to.
As we wait for answers, some Angelenos are growing angry.
"There was no city, government, nothing to help the people," said Ellen Delosh-Bache, who lived in the Pacific Palisades and described what it was like evacuating on Jan. 7.
She was one of many people stuck in their cars as they tried to flee the Pacific Palisades.
"There was no one in charge," Delosh-Bache said. "No one in charge of how to evacuate people."
And sure enough, the LAFD After-Action Review Report released on Thursday found "there was a delay in communicating evacuation orders," which led to "spontaneous evacuations," which in turn led to those fleeing blocking "strategic routes to the fire" for first responders.
Abandoned cars ended up having to be bulldozed out of the way.
"The fire department in general needs more (resources)," Mayor Karen Bass told ABC7 On Your Side Investigates on Thursday. "But we also know that resources could have been more effectively used."
Bass announced that LAFD will be using new software to improve evacuations. LAFD is also adding Starlink to improve fire frontline communications, and is updating pre-deployment protocols to get crews in place sooner the next time winds whip.
Councilmember Traci Park, who represents the Palisades, wants even more done.
"I am not satisfied that our city is presently staffed or prepared for the next emergency," Park said.
But, to get LAFD the additional staff and stations she has been calling for, voters will need to approve a bond.
"We are not likely going to be able to fully fund the complete needs to right-size this department within the four walls of our city budget," Park told ABC7.
While 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknecht was in court, accused of sparking the Lachman Fire, which turned into the Palisades Fire, some Angelenos say he's not to blame for the second and more destructive blaze.
"Yes, he should be blamed for eight acres, because he started it. The system failed us to burn down the community with the other 22,000 acres," Delosh-Bacher said.
"Of course, he is being used as a scapegoat," Delosh-Bacher said. "The city dropped the ball."
As for the questions ABC7 On Your Side Investigates sent to LAFD about how it handled the Lachman Fire, they were some of the same questions we sent them months ago.
Back then, LAFD said they could not comment because of the ATF investigation, but of course, the ATF has now spoken.
Eyewitness News will keep asking those questions until we get answers.
