Deposition in lawsuit alleges crews were ordered to leave despite visible hot spots.
Deposition testimony from a veteran Los Angeles firefighter indicates the Lachman Fire site was still actively smoldering when crews were ordered to leave, days before embers allegedly reignited and contributed to the deadly Palisades Fire.
Scott Pike, a 23-year member of the Los Angeles Fire Department, gave sworn testimony last month in connection with a lawsuit filed by approximately 3,000 Palisades Fire victims against the city and the state, according to multiple media reports.
Pike testified that he observed at least five areas at the Lachman Fire scene that were still smoking and “extremely hot.” Some of the hot spots were so intense that he hesitated to touch them, according to the deposition.
He said he reported his observations to fellow firefighters and a captain but believed his concerns were not taken seriously. Pike also stated that he was never interviewed for the city’s after-action report examining the response to the Palisades Fire.
Leadership within the Los Angeles Fire Department has maintained that the Lachman Fire was fully extinguished at the time crews cleared the scene. The lawsuit alleges that the earlier fire was not completely contained, allowing residual heat to rekindle and contribute to the larger blaze.
