Los Angeles Fire Department officials staffed every available additional engine and deployed 30 engines to fire danger areas Monday in preparation for another round of extreme fire weather conditions, according to internal records. However, it has become clear that steps were not taken before the deadly Palisades fire. And the officials.
Fire officials told reporters Monday that the department also ordered about 1,000 firefighters on their leaving shifts to remain on duty to staff the additional engines.
The action comes after the LAFD decided on January 7 not to take such drastic action despite an unusual warning from the National Weather Service that life-threatening and destructive storms were hitting the region. This was done after The Times reported on the incident.
“Pre-positioning is very thoughtful and strategic,” LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley said at a press conference Monday morning. She could not explain exactly where the engine was located beforehand and said authorities would provide that information later.
Mayor Karen Bass said the city is “well positioned” to deal with any possible fires.
“I believe we will be very well prepared for the worst possible scenario.” [is] I hope we get there in the next few days and hopefully not at all,” Basu told reporters at a press conference.
The National Weather Service has issued a warning for “particularly hazardous conditions” that will be in effect from noon Monday to 10 a.m. Tuesday for parts of Los Angeles County and much of Ventura County.
Maximum gusts of 50 to 70 mph are possible along the coast and valleys, and 60 to 160 mph in mountains and foothills, with sustained winds expected to be between 25 and 40 mph. Masu.
Ahead of January 7, the Bureau of Meteorology warned of damaging wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph, with isolated gusts of 80 to 160 mph possible in mountainous and hilly areas.
There has been no rain recently so the fuel is very dry.
“This means that if it ignites, extreme fire weather and behavior is likely to occur,” Mr Crowley said.
Crowley said additional firefighters were called in to staff the available engines to backfill the 20 LAFD engines still assigned to the Palisades Fire, along with other state and federal resources. . She said firefighters continue to respond to routine 911 calls elsewhere in the city.
“We are very busy in the city,” she said. “In addition to pre-deploying, ramping up and responding to the Palisades Fire, it is our job to ensure the continued delivery of 911 services.”
The Times found that no additional engines were installed in the Pacific Palisades before the Jan. 7 storm, as had been done in the past. The fire broke out around 10:30 a.m. The agency had pre-deployed nine engines in the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood in anticipation of possible fires. Officials said they moved more engines “first thing in the morning” to also cover northeast Los Angeles.
Fire officials also chose not to order their 1,000 firefighters to work double shifts that day (which would have doubled the number of personnel) because of the strong winds, but rather to use regular engines. Only five of the more than 40 engines available were deployed to replenish. Firefighters fighting wildfires.
Known internally as the 200 series engine, it, like all engines, is usually paired with a hook and ladder truck that does not carry water. There is usually a single engineer. It can carry four firefighters if needed for a wildfire.
It also chose not to deploy nine “ready reserve” engines, known internally as the 400 series. These engines will be used in case of weather emergencies and, in some cases, to replace damaged rigs at stations. Officials said two of the nine machines were broken and needed to be replaced.
Battalion Chief Patrick Leonard said firefighters were not ordered to continue working on Jan. 7 because they “didn’t have the equipment for another 1,000 members,” including engines. said.
On Monday, fire officials decided to staff all available 200 and 400 series engines, according to internal planning documents.
Times staff writers Paul Pringle and Julia Wick contributed to this report.
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