California Governor Gavin Newsom at a news conference on January 7, 2025 at the start of the Palisades Fire, which would kill 12 and destroy nearly 7,000 structures..
On the anniversary of the January 7, 2025 Fire, nearly 2,000 people gathered in Pacific Palisades for events planned, which included prayers, concerts, a memorial service and “Let It Burn” rally. (Look for additional stories tomorrow.)
Governor Gavin Newsom did make an appearance in Pacific Palisades at Palisades Charter High School at a closed event around 9 a.m. The press was not invited. Newsom was not present at the Palisades Long-Term Recovery Group Memorial Service that honored the 12 who died in the fire and also the memory of Palisadians who died after the fire.
According to a January 7 statement from the Governor’s office, “The Governor’s visit highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment to helping schools recover and rebuild faster — including record-setting debris clearance, expedited permitting through exemptions from CEQA and the Coastal Act for school reconstruction, and continued advocacy for federal disaster recovery funding,”
State Senator Ben Allen was also not at the memorial or rally. State Representative Jacqui Irwin was at both. CTN emailed Allen’s office, “I didn’t see the Senator at the memorial service. I was told he went to a private event with Governor Gavin Newsom at Palisades High School. Why? And what was the purpose of a private event that excluded media?
His spokesperson Ben Cheever replied, “Governor Newsom had invited the Senator to join him and school district reps (including Board Member Melvoin and Superintendent Carvalho), for a tour of the campus that is set to reopen soon. They were able to see the progress and discuss pending needs.
“Senator Allen did join the memorial service shortly after this tour… one of a couple service events he attended today,” Cheever said.
The two events overlapped, Allen was not in the actual memorial, but joined spectators outside afterwards to watch the replacement of the survivor flag. He also attended the St. Matthew’s memorial at 1 p.m.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom walk the streets on January 8.
Also absent today from the memorial and rally was L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, who in a press statement said that she would “recognize the anniversary of the devastating Palisades Fire and honor the twelve lives tragically lost and the thousands of families that lost their homes at private vigils with residents and City leaders.” She directed flags at City Hall to fly half-staff and for that building to be lit in honor of the Palisades community on January 7. It was reported that she did go to the Lake Shrine in the morning.
In that statement she wrote “We remember all that was lost – the twelve lives, the childhood homes, the irreplaceable family photos and heirlooms, the community spaces that connected generations of Palisades residents. We remember the brave firefighters and first responders who fought tirelessly for weeks on end away from their families. We are also clear-eyed about the lessons learned in those early days.”
The after-action report on the Palisades fire, which underwent seven drafts was sent to Mayor Karen Bass’ office for “refinements” months before its public release, according to the L.A. Times.
The final edited version had changed so dramatically since the first draft that the author LAFD Battalion Chief Kenneth Cook, declined to endorse the final version, calling it “highly unprofessional” and inconsistent with established standards.
Current Fire Chief Jaimie Moore told Fox, “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.”
Mayor Bass denies editing the report.
Pacific Palisades residents would also like to see the text messages that magically disappeared between Bass and her staff at the start of the fire. That town has always been an afterthought with city services and many residents suspect that the text messages might have something to do with the lack of resources sent at the start of the fire
Senator Allen was at the memorial event as was Nick Melvoin, our LAUSD rep.
Thank you for your amazing coverage. Although I disagree with some of your statements about my hard-working husband, Joe, your information and opinions about the fire have been dead right. Re: the photo shown above. It is one of the most sickening yet revealing images from Day Two. It show our public officials walking on Sunset Blvd as the building behind them burns. How about picking up a hose instead of looking at the cameras???? Every time I see that photo, it reminds me of how little anybody with authority cared about our town.
Would like to hear from Joe Edmiston about when SMCC will begin work on restoring the hiking trails. A year has passed. What is the timeline / is there one?
I don’t think the missing emails will ever surface as I have it on good authority the system was down for 28 minutes!
I paid for my subscription the first year. I have not been asked to do so since. I would like to pay as I read CTN most days. Why don’t you ever remind me, and I suspect others, of the yearly obligation?