Introduction to the Investigation
A federal grand jury subpoena has been served on the Los Angeles Fire Department for firefighters’ text messages and other communications about smoke or hot spots in the area of the Jan. 1 Lachman brushfire, which reignited six days later into the massive Palisades fire, according to an internal department memo.
Background of the Incident
The Times reported last week that a battalion chief ordered firefighters to pack up their hoses and leave the burn area the day after the Lachman fire, even though they complained that the ground was still smoldering and rocks were hot to the touch. In the memo, the department notified its employees of the subpoena, which it said was issued by the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles.
Details of the Subpoena
“The subpoena seeks any and all communications, including text messages, related to reports of fire, smoke, or hotspots received between” 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 10 a.m. on Jan. 7, said the memo, which was dated Tuesday. A spokesperson with the U.S. attorney’s office declined to confirm that a subpoena was issued and otherwise did not comment. The memo did not include a copy of the subpoena.
Connection to Ongoing Investigations
The memo said the subpoena was issued in connection with an “ongoing criminal investigation” conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Last month, an ATF investigation led to the arrest of former Pacific Palisades resident Jonathan Rinderknecht, who was charged with deliberately setting the Jan. 1 fire shortly after midnight near a trailhead.
Implications of the Investigation
It is unclear from the memo whether the subpoena is directly related to the case against Rinderknecht, who has pleaded not guilty. During the Rinderknecht investigation, ATF agents concluded that the fire smoldered and burned for days underground “within the root structure of dense vegetation,” until heavy winds caused it to spark the Palisades inferno, according to an affidavit attached to the criminal complaint against Rinderknecht.
Aftermath of the Palisades Fire
The Palisades fire, the most destructive in the city’s history, killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes, businesses and other structures. Last week, The Times cited text messages among firefighters in reporting that crews mopping up the Lachman fire had warned the battalion chief that remnants of the blaze were still smoldering.
Firefighter Accounts and Department Response
The battalion chief listed as being on duty the day firefighters were ordered to leave the Lachman fire, Mario Garcia, has not responded to requests for comment. In one text message, a firefighter who was at the scene on Jan. 2 wrote that the battalion chief had been told it was a “bad idea” to leave because of the visible signs of smoking terrain, which crews feared could start a new fire if left unprotected. “And the rest is history,” the firefighter wrote in recent weeks.
Calls for Investigation
A second firefighter was told that tree stumps were still hot at the location when the crew packed up and left, according to the texts. And a third firefighter said this month that crew members were upset when told to pack up and leave but that they could not ignore orders, according to the texts. The third firefighter also wrote that he and his colleagues knew immediately that the Palisades fire was a rekindle of the Jan. 1 blaze. The Fire Department has not answered questions about the firefighter accounts in the text messages but has previously said that officials did everything they could to ensure that the Lachman fire was fully extinguished.
Conclusion
The subpoena and the ongoing investigation highlight the seriousness of the situation and the need for transparency and accountability. The city and its residents await the outcome of these investigations, seeking answers about the events leading to the devastating Palisades fire.
FAQs
- Q: What is the purpose of the federal grand jury subpoena served on the Los Angeles Fire Department?
A: The subpoena seeks text messages and other communications related to reports of fire, smoke, or hotspots in the area of the Jan. 1 Lachman brushfire. - Q: Is the subpoena directly related to the case against Jonathan Rinderknecht?
A: It is unclear from the memo whether the subpoena is directly related to the case against Rinderknecht. - Q: What was the outcome of the Palisades fire?
A: The Palisades fire killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes, businesses, and other structures, making it the most destructive in the city’s history. - Q: How has the Fire Department responded to the allegations made by firefighters?
A: The Fire Department has not answered questions about the firefighter accounts in the text messages but has previously said that officials did everything they could to ensure that the Lachman fire was fully extinguished.
