Los Angeles Fire Chief Jaime Moore acknowledged that multiple drafts of the LAFD's after-action report on the January 2025 Palisades Fire were edited in ways that softened criticism of department leadership. The Palisades Fire became one of California's most destructive blazes, destroying about 7,000 structures and killing 12 people. Investigations linked the disaster to a contained New Year's brush fire whose smoldering roots were later re-ignited by high winds; Moore pledged reforms including revised mop-up procedures and routine drone inspections.
LAFD Chief Says Initial Palisades Fire Report Was Edited To Shield Leadership — Promises Reforms
LAFD Fire Chief Jaime Moore speaks during a Hollywood Walk of Fame Award of Excellence Star in Los Angeles, Calif., on Dec. 12, 2025. At right, a firefighter battles the Palisades Fire as it burned during a windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles on Jan. 7. 2025.
The head of the Los Angeles Fire Department acknowledged this week that the department's after-action analysis of the January 2025 Palisades Fire was revised multiple times in ways that softened criticism of senior leadership, local reports say.
Chief's Admission and Context
During an LA Fire Commission meeting, LAFD Chief Jaime Moore said investigators found that several drafts of the after-action report had been edited to reduce explicit criticism of department leaders. He emphasized the edits occurred before his appointment and pledged increased transparency under his command.
"It is now clear that multiple drafts were edited to soften language and reduce explicit criticism of the department leadership in that final report,"
Chief Moore added: "This editing occurred prior to my appointment as Fire Chief. And I can assure you that nothing of this sort will happen ever again while I am Fire Chief."
A drone image shows damage from the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 28, 2025.
How The Fire Unfolded
The Palisades Fire ignited in January 2025 and became one of California's most destructive wildfires. State and local agencies reported the blaze destroyed roughly 7,000 structures and resulted in 12 fatalities.
Investigations traced the larger disaster to an earlier, smaller brush fire — the Lachman Fire — which began on New Year's Day 2025 in the Pacific Palisades. According to reporting by KNBC and a review of firefighters' text messages by the Los Angeles Times, crews were told the Lachman Fire was contained and were ordered to leave the original burn site despite indications that tree stumps and roots still retained heat.
Text-message evidence cited by the Los Angeles Times suggests a battalion chief instructed crews to pack up hoses on Jan. 2, after the Lachman Fire was declared contained. Several days later, on Jan. 7, high winds reignited smoldering roots in the same area, sparking the catastrophic Palisades Fire.
Firefighters watch the flames from the Palisades Fire burning a home during a powerful windstorm on Jan. 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Calif.
Response, Criticism And Reforms
The department has faced scrutiny after an anonymous letter was reportedly sent to Mayor Karen Bass and councilmembers Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Traci Park, alleging that some officials who oversaw preparation of the after-action report had been involved in operational decisions during the incident — a potential conflict that could compromise the report's objectivity.
Chief Moore acknowledged shortcomings in the department’s response to the Lachman Fire, saying crews acted based on the information, conditions and procedures in place at the time. He said the LAFD has already revised its mop-up procedures and has formally incorporated drone technology to enhance post-suppression verification, situational awareness and detection of residual heat.
The chief's comments and promised reforms come as local officials, residents and fire experts continue to review what went wrong and how future tragedies might be prevented.
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