CNN —

Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles announced on Friday the dismissal of Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, partially due to her handling of the recent devastating Palisades wildfire, which is among the most catastrophic in California’s history.

Bass stated that Crowley’s removal was necessary “for the safety of the public in Los Angeles and the effectiveness of the Los Angeles Fire Department.”

Citing her civil service rights, the veteran of 25 years with the LAFD will continue her employment at a lower rank. Her responsibilities will be reassigned by the interim fire chief, as stated by the mayor’s office.

The Palisades fire, which impacted Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades area and surrounding unincorporated parts of the county and Malibu, resulted in the loss of 12 lives and consumed nearly 24,000 acres since igniting on January 7. Thousands of residents were suddenly displaced, many returning to only ashes where their homes once stood. Over 7,800 structures were reported damaged or destroyed, according to estimates from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Following these devastating fires, Crowley was criticized for the alleged late response by firefighters and the perceived delay in issuing evacuation orders.

Mayor Bass also faced scrutiny for her trip to Ghana during the outbreak of the Palisades fire, despite forewarnings about hazardous fire weather conditions. She was attending the inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama as part of an official U.S. delegation.

Concurrently, Crowley had previously voiced concerns regarding a significant reduction of $17.4 million in the department’s 2025 budget, which she claimed would diminish staffing levels. In a discussion with CNN’s Jake Tapper last month, she remarked, “Any budget cut would impair our operational capacity,” and emphasized that she had alerted city officials about the department’s chronic understaffing and lack of resources.

Bass specified two critical reasons for Crowley’s termination: firefighters were off-duty on the morning of the fires, and Crowley did not comply with part of the investigation.

“On the day the fires started, we know that 1,000 firefighters who could have been on duty were instead sent home under Chief Crowley’s command,” Bass asserted.

Furthermore, during the investigation into the wildfire response, the president of the Los Angeles Fire Commission requested an after-action report from Crowley, to which she reportedly declined, according to Bass.

CNN has sought comments from Crowley regarding her dismissal.

Bass stated she was unaware of Crowley’s reasoning behind her refusal and mentioned that Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath emphasizes the importance of conducting a comprehensive review to understand what went well and what needs improvement, confirming its necessity for public accountability.

When asked why she had not terminated Crowley sooner, Bass responded, “I was not going to take any action while we were in a state of emergency.”

Bass has appointed Ronnie Villanueva, a 41-year veteran of the department and former Chief Deputy, as the interim fire chief. Villanueva recently retired as the chief deputy of emergency operations.

“I assure the mayor, our firefighters, and the people of Los Angeles that the Fire Department will be ready to act,” Villanueva stated during a news conference with Bass. “The Los Angeles City Fire Department will respond effectively and prioritize the safety of the community.”

Following Crowley’s dismissal, some voiced objection to the mayor’s choice. Rick Caruso, a notable real estate developer and former candidate for mayor, expressed disappointment and argued that city leaders ought to take accountability rather than shifting the blame.

“Chief Crowley served the city honorably and demonstrated fortitude in addressing the severe and misguided budget cuts during the Bass administration. Her willingness to speak the truth was commendable,” Caruso pointed out. “The mayor’s choice to overlook warnings and leave the city was her responsibility.”

The president of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City conveyed outrage over Crowley’s termination, asserting that she was unfairly made a scapegoat for speaking honestly.

Leading up to Crowley’s dismissal, there had been ongoing disputes between Bass and the fire department regarding the response to the Palisades fire. While Bass faced criticism for her absence and budget cuts, Crowley dealt with backlash for communication missteps and delays in activating firefighters.

“We have had a productive working relationship, but of course, there are differences along the way,” said Bass on Friday.

Prior to the fire, the National Weather Service had issued multiple alerts regarding severe weather conditions, including hazardous windstorms. “This was an event that had ample lead time, factoring in the expected powerful winds and the potential for dangerous, red flag fire weather,” noted meteorologist Ariel Cohen from the National Weather Service in Los Angeles.

Ignited by strong winds, the Palisades fire ignited around 10:30 a.m. PT on January 7, during Bass’s trip to Ghana, which was announced by the White House earlier that month. Approximately eight hours later, as the fire spread rapidly and firefighters struggled to contain it, the Los Angeles Department urged all off-duty firefighters to report for duty.

Bass contended she maintained “constant contact” with local, federal, and county officials while she took the “fastest route back” to California, arriving early on January 8. Later, she expressed to KTTV that the trip was a misstep and that Crowley failed to notify her in advance about the necessary preparations.

“Every time there was a weather emergency or a hint of it, the chief would call me directly,” Bass stated during the news conference. “That wasn’t the case this time.” Crowley reportedly only reached out to her after the blaze had already ignited.

The LAFD responded to Bass’s claims regarding Crowley’s failure to inform her about the weather conditions, asserting they adhered to appropriate protocols. “Before the Palisades Fire, we sent out two media advisories and conducted several media interviews about the predicted extreme fire weather, as well as informed city officials about the forthcoming weather events,” LAFD stated to KNBC.

Following the Palisades fire, firefighters from Los Angeles tackled several other blazes, including the Kenneth, Sunset, Hurst, and Sepulveda fires. In total, over 50,000 acres were scorched across Southern California, with the two most catastrophic blazes claiming 29 lives and resulting in the destruction of more than 18,000 structures.

Following the wildfires, Crowley raised alarms about the budget cuts impacting the fire department, emphasizing that this undermined their capacity to combat “one of the most severe natural disasters in Los Angeles history.” She stressed that she had cautioned city officials over the last three years that the fire department “requires assistance.”

Crowley pointed out that the $17 million budget reduction and loss of civilian positions, such as mechanics, have been detrimental to their ability to maintain fire apparatuses. She noted that over 100 were out of service and that 62 additional fire stations were necessary. With a 55% increase in calls since 2010, she stated there aren’t sufficient firefighters to respond to the demand.

In early January, Bass maintained that budget cuts had not impeded the LAFD’s firefighting capabilities. “If you review the reductions made, there were none that impacted the challenging situations we faced recently,” she affirmed.

Crowley’s removal occurred nearly three years after she broke barriers as the department’s first female and LGBTQ fire chief. During the crisis, Bass reiterated her accountability, saying, “As the mayor of the city, ultimate responsibility lies with me.”

Investigations into the wildfire response will proceed, and Bass indicated an intention to enhance the fire department’s budget. She also announced plans to conduct a nationwide search for a new permanent fire chief.

“The city is stable,” Bass asserted. “I am pleased that the recovery efforts, including the clearing of debris from the fires, are progressing significantly ahead of schedule.”

This article has been updated to include additional information.