LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – Los Angeles Fire Department Assistant Chief Joe Everett told wildfire victims that he feels he has “failed” the Pacific Palisades community at a community meeting in Westwood Thursday night. he told the evacuees.
Many residents expressed their anger and frustration during the rally, including some who lost everything in last week’s wildfires.
Some shouted questions such as “When will I get access again?” “Why couldn’t you save our community?” and “Why is my home gone?”
Everett, a third-generation Pacific Palisades resident, apologized to those in attendance.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Joe Everett speaks at a community meeting in Westwood, January 16, 2024 (KTLA)
“Honestly, it’s very, very difficult for me to look you in the eye because I feel like I’ve failed you in some way,” Everett said, his voice rising with emotion.
As he finished his emotional speech and moved on to other issues, the crowd interrupted and applauded Everett’s candor.
The Palisades Fire broke out on January 7 during Southern California’s most powerful storm in more than a decade, burning approximately 24,000 acres and damaging or destroying more than 10,000 structures.
Firefighters were often overwhelmed by embers traveling miles through the air, only to ignite additional structures. Crews also reported running out of water while trying to put out the blaze.
Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire, which burns down structures in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, January 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
Although many audience members’ questions were not answered at the rally, fire officials provided further details about the firestorm that many already understood.
“We have not seen fire activity like that in 39 years,” said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Malone. “This incident will go down as the most destructive fire incident in Los Angeles County history.” spoke.
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