Freddy Escobar leads the LAFD union in a turbulent time
With piercing brown eyes, a biker mustache, a gravelly voice and the build of an NFL defensive end, Freddy Escobar has long cut an imposing…
L.A. budget shortfall close to $1 billion; layoffs ‘nearly inevitable’
L.A.’s financial problems exploded into a full-blown crisis on Wednesday, with the city’s top budget official announcing that next year’s shortfall is now just shy…
Former L.A. firefighter union treasurer under scrutiny over car purchase
A former labor leader for Los Angeles firefighters is under scrutiny for buying a union car at an alleged discount — and then reporting an…
Former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley loses her bid to get her job back
The Los Angeles City Council rejected former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley’s bid to get her job back leading one of the nation’s largest fire departments,…
L.A. fire chief Kristin Crowley responds to ouster by Bass
Ousted Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley struck a defensive tone Saturday, issuing her first statement since being demoted by Mayor Karen Bass for failing…
Bass ousts L.A. Fire Chief Crowley, saying LAFD needs ‘new leadership’
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ousted Fire Chief Kristin Crowley over her handling of the Palisades fire Friday, adding to the turmoil that has enveloped…
Video. Off-Duty firefighter and police officer rescue woman from burning car in Arizona crash
Updated: 20/02/2025 - 21:11 GMT+1An off-duty firefighter and a police officer rescued a woman from a burning car after a crash near Phoenix, Arizona, with…
LAFD could have had at least 10 engines patrolling Palisades hills, former chiefs say
The first 911 call came at 10:29 a.m., from a resident of Piedra Morada Drive in Pacific Palisades. Amid high winds, a fire was visible…
Trump contract freeze slows safety measures in fire zones
President Trump has insisted that “raking” of the forests and other fuel reduction measures would help prevent wildfires from devastating the West. But early actions…
Lawmakers target looters in wake of arrests in Los Angeles-area burn zones
SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers are proposing tougher penalties on looting and other opportunistic crimes during disasters after over two dozen individuals were arrested in evacuation zones after…
California water systems need backup power, lawmaker says
It’s been more than seven years since fire hydrants in southern Ventura County rapidly ran dry as the Thomas fire exploded — something Assemblymember Steve…
L.A. County had extra firefighters ready. How many were near Altadena?
L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone woke up in his San Fernando Valley home Jan. 7 to a swimming pool filled with leaves and roof…
Officials were warned of failing water system before Palisades fire
Los Angeles County officials missed dozens of opportunities for water infrastructure improvements that experts say probably would have enabled firefighters to save more homes during…
Trump criticizes L.A. fire response in inaugural address
During his inaugural address on Monday, President Trump blasted what he called a government unable to protect its own citizens in times of crisis —…
Former Vice President Kamala Harris’ first stop in California: Altadena fire zone
The first stop former Vice President Kamala Harris made after leaving office and returning to California Monday was Altadena, where she met with volunteers and…
Amid dangerous winds in 2011, LAFD engines stood ready. That didn’t happen this time
Thirteen years ago, Los Angeles Fire Department officials were bracing for the kind of dangerous winds that could drive flames across hillsides and canyons and…
Padilla hopes to increase firefighter pay, create affordable housing for disaster response
WASHINGTON — While firefighters continue to battle the Los Angeles County fires, California’s Sen. Alex Padilla is introducing a package of bills to increase their pay…
Inside the DWP’s battle to keep water flowing as fire exploded
As wildfire tore through the canyons of Pacific Palisades, firefighters waged a desperate battle to save homes and lives.Seventeen miles east in downtown L.A., dozens…
Fire chief says the city of L.A. let her agency down
As firefighters continued to battle massive wildfires Friday, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley stunned many observers with an extraordinary television interview.Crowley, pressed by a…
As L.A. fires raged, water drop videos became sweet revenge
Look, up in the sky. It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a Super Scooper water drop!The most memorable battle scenes exist in the pivot…