Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Denies Altering Palisades Fire Report, Despite Evidence That She Did

February 6, 2026 -- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has strongly denied allegations that she intervened to soften or alter key sections of an official after-action report on the devastating January 2025 Palisades Fire, which claimed multiple lives and destroyed thousands of structures across the Westside. A Los Angeles Times investigation published February 4 cited sources familiar with the mayor's office who claimed Bass flagged early drafts of the report as potentially exposing the city-and specifically the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)-to legal liabilities due to details on preparedness shortcomings, resource deployment failures, and other issues.

According to the report, Bass communicated concerns to then-interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva that certain language in the document could create legal risks, prompting requests to remove or tone down findings related to pre-fire staffing and response decisions. The final version of the report, released publicly, was said to have been adjusted in ways that critics argue downplayed the city's role in the disaster's severity. The Palisades Fire remains one of the most destructive in recent California history, leaving communities like Pacific Palisades grappling with rebuilding challenges more than a year later.

Bass and her administration swiftly rejected the claims, asserting that any review she conducted was limited to ensuring factual accuracy on elements such as weather conditions, budget constraints, and other contextual details. "There was absolutely no cover-up," Bass stated in response to the allegations. She emphasized that she did not direct substantive changes or order alterations to obscure findings, and her office described the Times story as based on inaccurate or incomplete information from anonymous sources. The mayor reiterated her commitment to transparency in the recovery process and to supporting affected residents through improved future wildfire preparedness measures.

Burned out building in Pacific Palisades. It is slowly dawning on residents that their choice to vote for Democrats like Karen Bass, lead to the loss of their homes.

The controversy erupted at a politically sensitive moment, just days before the February 7 filing deadline for the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral race. Bass, seeking reelection in the June primary, faces scrutiny over her administration's handling of the fire's aftermath, including ongoing debates about accountability, insurance delays, and federal-local tensions in rebuilding efforts. The allegations have intensified criticism from opponents and heightened attention on the report's implications for potential lawsuits or policy reforms.

The story also briefly revived speculation about a potential challenge from billionaire developer Rick Caruso, who narrowly lost to Bass in the 2022 mayoral election. In a Wednesday radio interview on KNX News, Caruso indicated he was reconsidering his earlier decision not to run-announced in January-citing the new report as a factor that made him question the city's leadership direction. He told reporters he would discuss options with his family, noting the tight timeline before Saturday's deadline and expressing frustration that "Mayor Bass has completely failed us" in key areas. However, on Thursday, February 5, Caruso's spokesperson confirmed he would not enter the race. Political adviser Mike Murphy stated that Caruso was "incredibly moved by the outpouring of support" but had reached his decision through a thoughtful process earlier and would stand by it. The swift reversal ended a brief flurry of speculation that had energized some observers hoping for a rematch.

The episode underscores the ongoing political volatility surrounding the Palisades Fire recovery, as Westside residents continue to navigate rebuilding amid broader concerns about city governance. With other developments in the mayoral field-including Austin Beutner's recent withdrawal following a family tragedy-the race remains fluid, though Bass maintains her focus on victim support and long-term resilience.

The Los Angeles Times has stood by its reporting, based on multiple knowledgeable sources, while the full after-action report continues to fuel debate over accountability in one of the region's most traumatic recent events.