2025 California Fire Storm

Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles firefighters said many hydrants failed during the recent historic wildfires.
2025 California Fire Storm

Majority of Faulty Los Angeles Hydrants Repaired or Replaced

March 20, 2025
While firefighters struggled with low water pressure during the Palisades fire, it's unclear whether the damaged hydrants played a role.
City Council postpones meeting to address former LA fire chief's dismissal appeal
2025 California Fire Storm

Los Angeles Fire Chief Wants Job Back, Appeals Firing

Feb. 28, 2025
Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, who was fired last Friday, will have to get 10 of the 15 council members' votes to be reinstated.
LA County officials searching for victims of 'bandit tow' companies during Eaton Fire
2025 California Fire Storm

Bogus Tow Operators Exploited CA Wildfire Victims, Demanded High Fees

Feb. 27, 2025
Residents had to pay cash to retrieve their vehicles often towed to locations miles away, Los Angeles County officials learned.
Firefighters demand former chief be reinstated
2025 California Fire Storm

Firefighters Demand Los Angeles Fire Chief be Reinstated

Feb. 26, 2025
Union firefighters, Los Angeles Women in Fire and Equity on Fire support ousted Fire Chief Kristin Crowley. believing she should lead.
CAL FIRE overhauls wildfire risk maps, giving some Bay Area homeowners stricter rules
2025 California Fire Storm

CAL FIRE Overhauls Wildfire Risk Maps that May Result in Stricter Rules

Feb. 26, 2025
Researchers use models that combine how weather, topography and types of vegetation raise the risk that a fire will grow large and threaten neighborhoods.
L.A. County had a new emergency alert system. Did that hurt west Altadena?
CAD/Dispatch Systems

Did L.A. County's New Emergency Alert System Hurt Response?

Feb. 24, 2025
It is unclear whether officials failed to order alerts for west Altadena, or whether glitches in Genasys or officials' unfamiliarity with the new system could have played a role...