These drone images were taken of the Pacific Palisades on New Year’s Day 2025 site of the Lochman Fire. This area is where the Palisades Fire started on January 7.
All images are the exclusive property of and copyrighted by Gary Baum.
An October 30 story broke yesterday in the L.A. Times (“Days Before Palisades Inferno, Firefighters Were Ordered to Leave Smoldering Burn Site”). It was reported that texts had been revealed from firefighters that even though they were ordered to leave on January 2, they knew the ground was still smoldering from the Lachman January 1.
The Lachman Fire, which was reignited on January 7 with strong winds, was responsible for the Palisades Fire.
One text noted that “crews at Station 69 in the Palisades were surprised that they were told to roll up their hoses the day after the [Lachman] fire. “
In another text “a firefighter who was at the scene on January 2 wrote that the battalion chief had been told it was a ‘bad idea’ to leave the burn scar unprotected because of the visible signs of smoldering terrain,” the Times reported. “’And the rest is history,’” the firefighter wrote in recent weeks.”
Attorney Roger Behle, who is representing numerous Palisades Fire victims, was on the John Kobylt Show on October 27 and told John that people had called 911 after January 2 to let authorities know the hill was still “smoking” [after the Lachman Fire] but were told if there were no flames so there was nothing the operator could do.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass was not available for comment yesterday to the L.A. Times, but today she released the following statement requesting an investigation.
October 31, 2025
Dear Interim Chief Villanueva,
This week’s report about the Lachman Fire is tremendously alarming and underscores the reforms and new leadership we have been bringing to the Los Angeles Fire Department since January. Make no mistake, our city’s firefighters are heroes every day. We owe it to them and the people of Los Angeles to make sure that their fire department is led, organized and ready for whatever emergencies may arise.
Many investigations, and some ongoing, have been looking into the January wildfires. I am requesting that you thoroughly investigate this week’s report regarding the Lachman Fire. A full understanding of the Lachman Fire response is essential to an accurate accounting of what occurred during the January wildfires. This will continue to guide our ongoing reforms, which include enhancing pre-deployment protocols, strengthening interagency coordination, upgrading communications technology and expanding training at all staff levels.
From: The LAFD Coverup Office
To: The Mayor
Following up on your October 31st directive that the LAFD investigate the rumors swirling around the so-called “Lachman Fire”, we found:
1) We couldn’t find a paper copy of the Thomas Guide map book so we were not really able to find out where this Lachman “thing” is located
2) We reached out to Governor Newsom and Insurance Commissioner Lara and both believe that Lachman may refer to a quite friendly and entertaining animal spirit in the Chumash language. Additionally, they think it is more likely that any reference to a “Lachman Fire” is misinformation spread by Senators Rick Scott and Ron Johnson to convey the sense that their inept Senate investigation is on to something. Also, all of “those” paper files have been shredded and “suspect” electronic records have been degaussed and overwritten 1,000 times
3) We identified the individuals who leaked text messages to the LA Times. They are now sleeping with Luca Brasi. Our next action step is to explain to the publisher of the LA Times that in the spirit of St. Mamdani the private ownership of a newspaper is a crime against humanity
4) Our major concern is how long should we take before we officially declare “nothing to see here”. We already know what you want us to find but could you please advise as to how long we should string along the public in order to maximize you reelection prospects (and our pension benefits – more on that in the next update)
Yours
The Official LAFD Coverup Team
Speechless !
finger pointing in so many directions…
Allow me to translate Mayor Bass’ remarks.
“We will spending a lot of money to insure that something like this doesn’t happen again, but if it does don’t blame me.
Further investigation will likely reveal and support the assumption that LAFD did nothing between January 1 and January 7 to prevent the Lachman Fire from turning into the Palisades fire. In fact, they deliberately squashed the due diligence needed to prevent a second fire. LAFD is far more guilty for causing this Palisades fire than the Uber driver on January 1st. 911 has rules in place to protect law enforcement and the fire department from “wasting time” unless the caller sees flames or a violent crime in progress. They clearly choose to prioritize their precious time over our lives and property. What is most disturbing to me is that the city has spent over 9 months investigating this fire and never once does the report mention what mitigation was conducted after January 1 was extinguished. This is GROSS OVERSIGHT and begs the question of what else was deliberately not revealed in the report. What else is the City of LA trying to hide. They have no one to blame but themselves. Pacific Palisades needs to become its own incorporated city so we can provide the protection we need and deserve without the interference and corruption we get from the City of LA. If you agree, please reply. If you disagree, please tell me why. Thank you.
Is there really a person named Karen Bass?
…At this point 10 months later, one can only weep.
Bart,
I agree.