Palisades Firefighter Testimonies Shared by Legal Teams
Palisades Fire Depositions Unveiled, Raising Concerns Over Fire Response
LOS ANGELES – Newly released depositions from Los Angeles City firefighters regarding the devastating Palisades Fire have sparked critical questions about the decisions made during the incident, prompting a robust rebuttal from state officials.
The depositions, edited by attorneys representing the victims of the Palisades Fire, recount the events following the earlier Lachman Fire, which ignited in the Pacific Palisades area on New Year’s Day.
Firefighter Scott Pike expressed dismay during his testimony, stating, "I haven’t really spoken much on it because it kind of sits heavy on me that no one listened to me. I haven’t seen anybody step up and take responsibility." He recounted how the initial fire, which burned about eight acres, was declared contained the following day, despite lingering concerns about red-hot coals still smoldering.
Pike urged his colleagues to maintain hoses on the site, fearing that the fire was not fully extinguished, but his warnings went unheeded. Another firefighter, Tommy Kitahata, confirmed that the burned area was on state park land, with local firefighters reportedly informed that state personnel would be monitoring the site. "They’ll have state park people looking at the area,” he recalled.
Firefighter Martin Mullen also testified about being told that someone would patrol the location post-incident. However, John Ota of California State Parks indicated in his deposition that he did not return after the initial day, further complicating accountability.
Attorney Roger Behle, who represents thousands of victims, noted that city firefighters assumed the state would continue monitoring the burn scar, affirming that "that’s exactly what the state park representatives told them." Shortly after the Lachman Fire, the Palisades Fire erupted in the same vicinity, resulting in 12 fatalities and the destruction of approximately 6,000 structures.
Reflecting on the situation, Pike remarked, "I saw some stuff that didn’t line up with what I saw coming out from my leaders."
In response to the allegations, Marty Greenstein, Deputy Director of Communications and Marketing for California State Parks, labeled the depositions as "deceptively edited" and asserted that the Los Angeles City Fire Department bears the legal responsibility for fire response in the area. Greenstein emphasized that California State Parks does not function as a firefighting agency.
He added that both fires fell within the city’s Local Responsibility Area, with the LAFD’s response deemed appropriate. Furthermore, he mentioned that the Lachman Fire was confirmed as intentionally set on adjacent land, and a recent court decision ruled that multiple claims against the state would be dismissed.
As the fallout from the Palisades Fire continues to unfold, Behle indicated that additional depositions are forthcoming as litigation expands. Lawsuits have already been filed against the state by the City of Los Angeles, SoCalGas, various insurers, and Charter Communications, all arguing that inadequate land management contributed to the disaster.
Requests for comments from city officials regarding the ongoing situation were not immediately addressed.
