July 3, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Blame and Questions Surround Palisades Fire Response as Caruso Admits Hiring Private Firefighters

Critics point fingers at Mayor Bass and Local Officials During the First Night of the Inferno

By Dolores Quintana

There has been a lot of finger-pointing about the causes of the raging inferno of the Palisades Fire even before the fire has been fully extinguished. Mayor Karen Bass has been assigned much of that responsibility, especially since she made the error of going on a diplomatic mission during what the National Weather Service called a ‘life-threatening windstorm.” 

Additional blame has come from conservative pundits on social media, real estate entrepreneur and billionaire Rick Caruso, and even Elon Musk who have accused Bass and other local officials of incompetence, especially due to reports that people claimed to have seen hydrants with low pressure. 

Several people have chided Bass that her lack of preparation meant that there wasn’t enough water to fight the fires which led to the almost total destruction of sections of Pacific Palisades and coastal areas of Malibu on the edge of Pacific Coast Highway. 

However, Caruso gave an interview to the New York Times where he aired his accusations against Bass and the democratic leadership of the city and county of Los Angeles and offered one very startling admission. 

While much of Palisades Village, and parts of the Alphabet Streets burned down, the Palisades Village Shopping Mall, which Caruso owns, seems to have survived

In the New York Times article, Caruso stated that he hired a “team of private firefighters” to protect his property, The Palisades Village Shopping Mall, and some nearby properties. During the evening, city officials stated that the demand for water surged to four times the normal rate during the night as firefighters desperately tried to quench the flames. 

Caruso was quoted in the NYT article as saying, “The lack of water in the hydrants, I don’t think there’s an excuse. This was very predictable,” No mention was made of whether or not his private firefighters brought their own water or used city resources or if Rick Caruso or his team of firefighters alerted local incident command of their intentions and got the legally required permission to operate in an evacuation zone.

in News
<>Related Posts

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...

(Video) ‘World’s Strongest Man’ Champion Pulls Big Blue Bus for 30 feet

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

World-class strongman Martins Licis pulled a 34,680‑pound, 35-feet long, battery electric bus through the Pier to set off Pier 360...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...

More Commercial Uses Could Be Coming to RAND Building

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Amendment Unlocks New Opportunities, Secures $5.5 Million in Community Benefits The Santa Monica Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to...

People are Using Palisades for “Disaster Tours.” Local Officials Are Trying to Stop Them

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

A new motion introduced to City Council requests a coordinated strategy from LADOT, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the...

Santa Monica Favorite Esters Rebrands as Esters Wine Shop & Oyster Bar

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

New Concept Launches With French-Spanish Flair and Free Bubbles Esters Wine Shop, the fave Parisian-style wine bar in downtown Santa...

Letter to the Editor: Santa Monica’s Great Park: It’s Time to Deliver on 100 Years of Promise

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Santa Monica stands at the edge of history. For nearly a century, residents have consistently supported turning the airport land...

Why Nordstrom Says It’s Closing Its Santa Monica Place Location

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

A Nordstrom spokesperson explained the closure as a strategic realignment Nordstrom confirmed its decision to close its Santa Monica store...