The investigation will look at whether emergency preparations were sufficient, including an examination of whether there was enough reservoir water to respond to the deadly wildfire.
The new probe is the latest in a string of ongoing investigations into the start of the fire and how officials responded.
It comes eight months after the fire broke out on Jan. 7, killing 12 and largely destroying Pacific Palisades.
The congressional investigation appears to focus only on the Palisades fire, and will look specifically at what water resources were — or weren’t — available, and why.
The new congressional investigation, which will be led by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, will give senators the power to issue subpoenas and seek documents for the committee’s review.
To the long list of investigations into whether local officials adequately prepared for the emergency, two Senate Republicans have launched a new investigation into the deadly Palisades fire.
Examining whether emergency preparations were adequate, including whether there was enough reservoir water to combat the deadly wildfire, will be part of the investigation.
Feelings. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Rick Scott of Florida announced Monday that they would be heading the congressional investigation, which they said is required to “uncover and expose the truth” regarding the state and local governments’ response to the massive fire that started in the midst of hurricane-force winds and swiftly outstripped firefighting resources.
In a joint statement, Scott and Johnson wrote, “Families in this community deserve answers and accountability.”.
The investigation into the origin of the fire and the actions of the authorities involved is the most recent in a series of ongoing inquiries. Eight months have passed since the fire started in January. 7, destroying most of the Pacific Palisades and killing twelve people. The Eaton fire broke out in Altadena that same day, destroying the foothill community and killing 19.
What water resources were—or weren’t—available and why will be the specific focus of the congressional investigation, which seems to be limited to the Palisades fire.
The Santa Ynez Reservoir, which is in the center of Pacific Palisades, was empty when the fire started, according to the Times, and stayed that way while firefighters dealt with dry hydrants and problems with water pressure. According to officials, the 117 million-gallon water storage complex had been shut down for almost a year in order to repair its cover.
Following the reservoir story published in The Times, Gov. An examination into the city’s water system and how it might have impeded firefighting efforts was mandated by Gavin Newsom.
Even though city officials were repeatedly warned about life-threatening winds and red flag conditions, the Los Angeles Fire Department’s poor preparation and deployment were also revealed by Times reporting. Prior to the Palisades fire, agency top brass made the decision not to use the approximately 1,000 firefighters and dozens of water-carrying engines that were available.
Several weeks after Scott, the former governor of hurricane-prone Florida, met with former reality star Spencer Pratt to tour some of the areas devastated by the Palisades fire, the federal investigation was announced. At the time of their meeting, Pratt, who lost a home in the fire, was demanding a congressional investigation — an action that Scott said he would do his “best to make sure it happens. “”.
Pratt has also filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming that it neglected to keep up with other infrastructure and a sufficient water supply.
Scott has been writing to various agencies in recent weeks to ask for information on how California managed and responded to wildfires using federal funds. A letter to the U.S. in August. S. According to Scott of the Department of Agriculture, it seemed that the state and the city of Los Angeles had not utilized the agency’s funds “appropriately or sensibly.”. “”.
From President Trump to developer Rick Caruso, a previous mayoral candidate against L. Trump, the response to the January firestorm, especially in the Palisades, has become a contentious issue and a source of false information among national and local political leaders. a. Karen Bass, the current mayor. Owner of Palisades Village mall Caruso quickly criticized the city’s response, accusing officials of failing to supply enough water during the firefight.
However, fire and water experts have reiterated that no urban water system could have been adequately prepared for the fire’s unprecedented conditions.
But it seems that there is some bipartisan agreement about what, if anything, went wrong during the Palisades fire. Gov. On Monday, Gavin Newsom stated that his team will “absolutely welcome” this extra review.
In a statement, Newsom said, “It supplements the comprehensive investigations already underway — including by the federal government, the state, and an independent review by the nation’s leading fire experts.”. Because Californians deserve nothing less, we have embraced transparency from the beginning. “.”.
In order to avoid interfering with a federal investigation into the cause of the Palisades fire, Los Angeles officials postponed the release of one of those reports last month.
In the new congressional investigation, senators will have the authority to seek documents for the committee’s review and issue subpoenas, under the direction of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
