Palisades Fire report says communication, staffing challenges hindered initial response
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- On the same day authorities announced an arrest was made in connection with the Palisades Fire, the city released a report on its response to the destructive fire.
The "After-Action Review Report" released Wednesday by the Los Angeles Fire Department pointed to a series of what the department considered to be successes -- most notably the preservation of thousands of lives. But it also identified a series of challenges, primarily that the initial response to the blaze lacked adequate resources for the conditions, with some LAFD staff allowed to go off duty the morning of the fire despite the severe weather conditions.
The report noted that the department factored "fiscal responsibility" into the pre-deployment staffing decisions.
"LAFD command staff determined not to hold over off going LAFD members to fill every available seat," according to the report. "The fire conditions and initial ferocity of fire behavior overwhelmed the immediately available resources in the Palisades area. A recall of all members to fill every available seat was implemented after the start of the Palisades incident."
The report added: "The initial response dispatched to the Palisades incident lacked the appropriate resources for the weather conditions typically associated with Red Flag conditions that the department would normally respond with. Requesting engines specifically rather than the closest available resources delays the response time of arriving to the incident."
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It also noted that following the fire's outbreak, most firefighters assigned to the blaze worked for more than 36 hours without a break, with many not getting rest for more than 48 hours, "putting them at risk for long-term exposure to smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide."
"Physical exhaustion caused performance and safety concerns," according to the document. "The combination of fatigue, exhaustion and sleep deprivation severely hindered their ability to make safe decisions."
The report goes on to describe difficulties in communication and coordination among responding agencies as the fire overwhelmed resources on the ground, with the flames advancing rapidly amid winds topping 100 mph in some locations. There was also confusion as the incident command post had to repeatedly be moved to a safer location because of the advancing flames.
Authorities announced the arrest of Jonathan Rinderknecht in connection with igniting the Palisades Fire. Rinderknecht is accused of igniting a fire on Jan. 1 in the Pacific Palisades that later turned into the Palisades Fire, the Department of Justice said.
The criminal complaint says Rinderknecht, a former Palisades resident, was working as an Uber driver on New Year's Eve. Two separate passengers that night described him as angry or agitated, and the complaint alleges just after midnight, he hiked to the top of a ridge and intentionally set a fire.
"ATF has determined that the fire was ignited with an open flame," acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said during a press conference on Wednesday.
Authorities say cell towers show Rinderknecht was the only person on the hillside that night, and after the fire was burning, he tried to call 911 as he made his way down but had no service. By then someone else had reached 911 and Rinderknecht then followed firefighters back up the hill and recorded portions of the firefight on his phone.
The New Year's Day fire was called the Lachman Fire, which was determined to have been fully extinguished but a week later it reignited.
"The fire was a holdover fire, meaning it was deeply seeded in dense vegetation and roots and continued to burn undetected until catastrophic weather ensued, resulting in the Palisades Fire," said Kenny Cooper, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' Los Angeles Field Division.
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7, burning more than 23,000 acres and destroying nearly 7,000 structures. Twelve people have died in the fire, according to Cal Fire.
City News Service contributed to this report.
