Firefighters Warned of Danger Days Before Pacific Palisades Blaze

URGENT UPDATE: New reports reveal that Los Angeles firefighters raised alarms about the Lachman Fire just days before it escalated into the devastating Pacific Palisades blaze, according to the Los Angeles Times. Firefighters had been deployed to combat the Lachman Fire starting on January 1, 2025, but internal communications indicate that commanders failed to ensure the fire was completely extinguished.

In messages obtained by the LA Times, firefighters expressed frustration over orders to leave the Lachman site, despite reports of lingering heat from tree stumps. One firefighter voiced disbelief that crews were told to pack up just one day after the fire ignited, citing visible hot spots that posed ongoing risks. The alarming communications suggest a troubling oversight that may have contributed to the subsequent destruction.

On October 8, 2025, authorities arrested Jonathan Rinderknecht in connection with the Pacific Palisades fire, which has been identified as a re-ignition of the Lachman Fire. The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Central District of California confirmed that the Palisades disaster was a direct continuation of the earlier blaze, contradicting claims linking its cause to climate change.

A video circulating on social media shows smoke rising from a smoldering bush just days prior to the outbreak of the Pacific Palisades fire. This footage has become a focal point in lawsuits against the state and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) related to fire management practices.

Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who faced personal losses from the fire, criticized government response efforts. In a recent post, Pratt shared direct communications from a firefighter who was on the scene, affirming that significant hazards remained unattended. The firefighter reported, “There were several hot spots and it was definitely still smoldering… I couldn’t believe we walked away from that burn scar the way it was.”

This incident has ignited outrage among residents, particularly towards California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who have faced criticism for their management of the crisis. In response to mounting pressure, Mayor Bass fired LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley in February, following investigations into the department’s handling of the Palisades and Eaton fires.

As investigations continue, the implications of these findings are severe. Local residents are demanding accountability and changes to fire management protocols to prevent future tragedies. The fallout from this disaster is far from over, with many looking to see how local and state officials will respond to the mounting evidence of mismanagement.

WHAT’S NEXT: The community is awaiting further updates as lawsuits progress and investigations unfold. Residents are urged to stay alert to official announcements regarding fire safety and management practices as this urgent situation continues to develop.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds and impacts the community.