LOS ANGELES (AP) – An external review of Los Angeles County's response to the deadly wildfires in January has revealed significant deficiencies in resource allocation and outdated emergency alert policies. These shortcomings contributed to delays in notifying residents of the urgent need to evacuate as flames rapidly spread through neighborhoods in Altadena and Pacific Palisades.
The Independent After-Action Report, commissioned by county supervisors shortly after the Eaton and Palisades fires claimed the lives of over 30 people and destroyed thousands of homes, was produced by the consulting firm McChrystal Group. The report, released on Thursday, highlighted critical weaknesses in the county's response, including "outdated policies, inconsistent practices, and communications vulnerabilities" that hampered the overall effectiveness of emergency management.
The Associated Press noted that several residents did not receive crucial emergency alerts until after their homes were engulfed by flames. The report pointed to critical staffing shortages, including the high vacancy rates among sheriff's deputies and an inadequately resourced Office of Emergency Management. Furthermore, first responders and incident commanders encountered difficulties in sharing real-time information due to unreliable cellular connectivity, inconsistent reporting methods in the field, and the use of various unconnected communication platforms.
The report acknowledged the bravery and decisive actions of frontline responders in facing extraordinary conditions but emphasized the necessity for clearer policies, enhanced training, integrated communication tools, and improved public messaging. County officials clarified in a news release that the report is not intended to assign blame but rather to provide insights for future improvements.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is set to review the 133-page report during their meeting next Tuesday. As investigations continue, the causes behind the two devastating fires remain undetermined.
Similar after-action reports and investigations have highlighted issues with alert systems in previous California wildfires, including the 2017 Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa, which resulted in 22 deaths; the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise that claimed 85 lives; and the 2019 Woolsey Fire, which killed three in Malibu. Additional cases include Colorado's 2021 Marshall Fire, which destroyed over 1,000 homes near Denver, and Hawaii's 2023 Lahaina Fire, which devastated the historic town, resulting in 102 fatalities.
