Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced Friday she has fired Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, citing in part her response to last month’s devastating Palisades wildfire, among the most destructive in California’s history.

(The Center Square) – Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass fired Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, citing Crowley’s placing firefighters off duty and the chief’s alleged refusal to conduct an after-action fire report.

Bass has appointed former Chief Deputy Ronnie Villanueva as interim fire chief. Villanueva served with the LAFD for 41 years before retiring in September 2024.