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Bass denies softening Palisades Fire report
According to the LA Times, Bass calls the allegations "completely fabricated."
LOS ANGELES - Mayor Karen Bass reportedly exercised strict control over how the Los Angeles Fire Department communicated with the public following a controversial after-action report on the devastating January 2025 Palisades Fire.
What we know:
According to internal emails reviewed by the LA Times, LAFD spokesperson Capt. Erik Scott indicated in October 2025 that any media interviews or press conferences regarding the Palisades Fire would be "contingent on the Mayor's direction."
This coordination occurred as the department faced intense scrutiny for its failure to fully extinguish a small arson fire that later rekindled into a massive inferno.
RELATED: Bass' office denies altering Palisades Fire after-action report
Additionally, documents show that the after-action report underwent significant revisions just days before its release.
Phrases describing a lack of pre-deployed crews as "failures" were reportedly replaced with language stating the department "balanced fiscal responsibility with proper preparation."
What they're saying:
Bass has been firm in her denial of any wrongdoing, calling previous allegations of a cover-up "completely fabricated."
She stated last week, "There was no cover-up on my part. There was absolutely no reason or desire that I would want to water down this report."
Yusef Robb, an adviser to the mayor, defended the office's involvement to City News Service, saying, "The Mayor's Office is in contact with every city department on issues large and small, and so obviously and appropriately the Mayor's Office engaged with LAFD about the rollout."
Robb also noted that Bass was the one who originally ordered the report and fired the previous fire chief for refusing to conduct it.
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SUGGESTED VIDEO: Bass denies watering down Palisades Fire report
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has denied an LA Times article that alleges she had a report on the Palisades Fire altered to downplay failures.
What we don't know:
It remains unclear exactly which specific edits to the report—if any—were ordered directly by the Mayor herself versus LAFD leadership attempting to align with her perceived expectations.
Timeline:
January 2025: The Palisades Fire causes catastrophic damage after an earlier arson fire rekindles.
October 8, 2025: The LAFD releases the after-action report following revisions.
October 9, 2025: LAFD Capt. Erik Scott sends an email stating media availability depends on "the Mayor's guidance."
December 2025: Initial reports of "watered down" findings in the fire investigation surface.
February 2026: New reports detail the Mayor's role as the "ultimate authority" on the department's media strategy.
The Source: This report is based on internal LAFD emails and investigative reporting by the LA Times, supplemented by direct statements provided to City News Service.