Firefighter Voices Concern Before Palisades Fire: ‘We Could Have Done More’
Lawsuit Emerges Following Devastating Palisades Fire
On January 2, 2026, Scott Pike, a seasoned firefighter with 23 years of experience at the Los Angeles Fire Department, was assigned to assist in the mop-up operations of the Lachman fire, which ignited in Topanga State Park on New Year’s Day. As he carried out orders to retrieve hoses, he provided a candid deposition revealing concerns about the fire’s aftermath.
Thousands of residents of Pacific Palisades, who lost their homes due to the ensuing conflagration, are now part of a lawsuit targeting city and state agencies. This legal action comes in the wake of newly surfaced sworn depositions, which offer insights into the events leading up to the Palisades fire.
“I’m just here to give you my account of what I did on January 2nd,” Pike stated during his deposition. He recalled observing that the Lachman fire appeared to spread rapidly, noting, “It looked like the fire blew through there relatively fast,” while also indicating that substantial unburnt fuel remained in the affected area.
Pike emphasized that the fire seemed not to be fully extinguished. “I could feel the heat coming off of it and didn’t even want to use my gloved hand because it was hot,” he explained. In a cautious attempt to assess the situation, he kicked at a smoldering pile with his boot, revealing “red-hot coals” that were still alive and crackling beneath the surface.
The law firm representing the displaced residents shared Pike’s and other LAFD personnel’s depositions with NBC4 News. Plaintiffs allege that hazardous conditions were allowed to persist, ultimately culminating in the Palisades fire, which reignited on January 7 and ravaged the community.
Importantly, an attorney representing the plaintiffs clarified that the lawsuit does not seek to blame the Los Angeles Fire Department. “None of the plaintiffs are suing the LAFD; we are not blaming the LAFD,” the attorney affirmed.
Speaking on the first anniversary of the fire, the attorney elaborated on the state’s responsibilities, asserting, “Because it’s state parks land, they have to be up there monitoring their own land. If they see something, they could call Calfire or they could call LAFD back, but it’s their obligation, because it’s their land.”
Pike expressed frustration regarding his concerns on January 2, stating, “I feel like I got kind of blown off a little bit.” He reflected on the importance of vigilance, adding, “I saw something, I said something, and to the best of my ability, I thought we could have done more.”
