UPDATE: Los Angeles County officials are currently reviewing an independent after-action report on the January wildfires that devastated parts of Altadena. This crucial review comes amid rising concerns regarding the effectiveness of emergency alerts and evacuations during the catastrophic fires.
As of today, February 4, 2024, local agencies have been granted the chance to provide feedback on the report prepared by the McChrystal Group, which was commissioned for nearly $1.9 million. However, details remain murky as county agencies’ proposed edits—major or minor—will not be disclosed due to legal protections, according to County Counsel.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department is under scrutiny for its response to the fires that tragically resulted in 31 deaths and the destruction of 16,251 properties across several communities including Altadena and Pacific Palisades. Criticism has centered on the delay of evacuation orders, which were not issued until approximately 3:35 a.m. on January 8, hours after spot fires were first reported.
In a statement, Kathryn Barger, Supervisor of the Fifth District, emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in preventing future disasters. “This is why our Board invested nearly $2 million for an independent review,” she stated. “I expect the McChrystal Group to deliver validated findings that help us build a safer County.”
The report highlights systemic weaknesses that hindered the effectiveness of community notifications, including outdated policies and inconsistent practices. Investigators found “no single point of failure” but noted that a series of vulnerabilities impacted public alerts and notifications.
Additionally, the report pointed to “longstanding challenges” in training, staffing, and interagency cooperation, which compounded issues during the fire response. The McChrystal Group is expected to finalize the report once all feedback is incorporated, ensuring that the findings are accurate and actionable.
As the review process unfolds, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of the devastating fires. Residents are demanding answers and improvements in emergency response protocols to prevent future tragedies.
With the stakes high and the community’s safety in question, all eyes are on the forthcoming finalized report and the actions that will follow. For ongoing updates on this critical situation, stay tuned as we provide the latest developments.
