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.

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.

After Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass fired Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, the news quickly spread, and the city continues to grapple with the devastation left behind by the Pacific Palisades wildfire. Reactions from residents and workers in the Palisades are mixed, with many unsure of the reasons behind the mayor's decision.