Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass removed Fire Chief Kristin Crowley from her position on February 21, 2025, following intense scrutiny over the department’s response to January’s catastrophic Palisades and Eaton wildfires. The decision came after weeks of escalating tensions between City Hall and LAFD leadership.
The Breaking Point
Bass cited two critical failures in her termination statement: sending 1,000 firefighters home during peak fire risk conditions and Crowley’s refusal to complete an after-action report requested by the Fire Commission. These wildfires killed dozens and destroyed hundreds of homes amid hurricane-force Santa Ana winds that had been forecast days earlier.
Interim Leadership Steps In
Ronnie Villanueva, a 41-year LAFD veteran who retired seven months ago as Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations, was named interim chief. Bass emphasized his experience managing large-scale emergencies and fire suppression operations during transitional leadership.
Union Backlash
The United Firefighters of Los Angeles City union condemned Crowley’s removal, calling her a “scapegoat” for systemic issues. President Freddy Escobar highlighted budget cuts that slashed $7 million from overtime funding in late 2024 – a move Crowley had warned would limit emergency response capabilities. “We had firefighters ready,” Escobar stated, “but broken equipment and staffing shortages crippled us”.
A Historic Tenure Cut Short
Crowley made history in 2022 as LAFD’s first female and openly gay chief. Her tenure included modernizing wildfire response protocols and overseeing COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts. However, January’s fires exposed critical operational gaps during her watch.
What Comes Next?
The mayor’s office announced a national search for a permanent chief while Villanueva stabilizes operations. With California’s fire season intensifying yearly due to climate change, all eyes remain on how LAFD will rebuild public trust and preparedness.
