Los Angeles investigators are still on the search for the origins of the Palisades fire, which has destroyed over 5,000 homes and businesses, along with the lives of 25 people, as of the release of this article. Members of the public actively mourn the loss of life and home, while news outlets report a combination of safety updates, as well as speculation on the qualifications of LA officials charged with carrying out public safety.
Current theories from investigators are noting an approximate location of a ‘burn scar’ off of Temescal Ridge Trail that sits adjacent to power lines and possible New Years-related debris noted this passing Sunday, though no confirmed explanation has been provided by authorities.
As death tolls and property damage are still being recorded by journalists and citizen social media accounts, some reports on conservative news programs have highlighted an alleged misstep from the state government, which they are accusing of putting the public at risk by prioritizing diverse leadership hiring among the fire department.
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Fox News’s Aubrie Spady published an article Jan. 10 with the sensationalized headline, “LA County cut fire budget while spending heavily on DEI, woke items: ‘Midnight Stroll Transgender Cafe’”. The article goes on to decry the use of tax dollars to fund programs like the “Gay Men’s Chorus” and housing for transgender homeless, and connects the dots to recent cuts from the LA Fire Department’s funding.
While there is no link between social program funding and fire department budget cuts, it is worth noting that LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has, in her 2+ years at her post, already been vocally critical of budget cuts to the fire department as a whole. Public city budget hearings in 2024 heard Crowley request an increase of 159 personnel, a trend of requesting increased service and support that has been going largely unheard since 2010.
Crowley’s own tenure has been put into question by reporting from Fox News, which has highlighted her as an alleged “DEI hire”. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), is the term many conservative outlets have been using to imply that people in Crowley’s position (i.e. members of the LGBTQ+ or other minority groups in leadership positions) were put there merely to fill a diversity quota, and do not have necessary qualifications to carry out their duties.
Despite the accusations, Crowley is a 22 year veteran of the fire department, starting as a firefighter, then firefighter paramedic, engineer, fire inspector, captain I, captain II, battalion chief, assistant chief, fire marshall, then deputy chief, receiving commendations and awards along the way.
Claims questioning the tenure of Crowley do echo recent claims on Vice President Kamala Harris’ legitimacy, where conservative pundit Megyn Kelly accused Harris of sleeping her way to the top, and not earning her position in government. The current trend against women and other minority groups in government has undeniably been skewed towards accusatory and inflammatory in nature, and has not slowed amidst serious public safety concerns.
Crowley however, has been keeping her public statements revolving around the loss of life and prevention of further tragedy in the greater Los Angeles area. Along with LA County Sheriff Robert Luna, Crowley and other LA County authorities are urging residents to heed evacuation warnings and prioritize physical safety over the urge to stay with their belongings.
The current situation can be actively monitored on the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection website, which catalogues in real-time the number of fatalities, destroyed structures, and other pertinent information for members of the public.
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