Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Ron Johnson (R-WI), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), have escalated their congressional probe into the deadly January 2025 Palisades and other Los Angeles wildfires.
The senators sent a formal letter on Monday to Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, requesting a wide range of records concerning the city’s preparedness, emergency response, water infrastructure, and subsequent redevelopment plans in the devastated areas.
The wildfires, which included the Palisades fire and a reignition of the Lachman fire, caused billions of dollars in property damage and tragically resulted in loss of life across Los Angeles communities. The senators’ ongoing investigation has been spurred by public reports raising serious questions about the city’s handling of the crisis.
Deep Dive into Fire Response Failures
The letter highlights specific concerns, including a July 2025 preliminary report by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) that identified critical water system issues, such as loss of pressure to fire hydrants.
The senators also noted allegations of mismanagement of reservoirs, which may have contributed to a critical lack of water needed for suppression efforts. The Palisades fire, in particular, appears to have been caused by a re-ignition of the Lachman fire despite officials stating the latter was “fully contained.”
Extensive Records Demanded
Pursuant to Senate Resolution 94, the Subcommittee is demanding a broad spectrum of records from February 1, 2022, to the present. Key requests to the City Council President include:
- Wildfire Response: All records relating to wildfire preparation, suppression, and response (including alerts and evacuation plans) between December 28, 2024, and the present.
- Water and Infrastructure: All records regarding the Santa Ynez and Chautauqua (Palisades) Reservoirs and communications with the LADWP.
- Personnel Matters: Records concerning the removal of LAFD Fire Chief Kristin M. Crowley on February 21, 2025, and records on proposed budget cuts or workforce reductions at the LAFD and LADWP.
- Post-Fire Activities: Information on reports or investigations into arson, burglary, theft, or looting in the affected areas.
Scrutiny on Redevelopment and External Influence
A major focus of the request is on redevelopment in fire-affected areas. The senators are seeking records on building and land-use permits, zoning changes, and proposals for low-income or multi-family housing developments. This request follows Senator Scott’s separate letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, asking for a review of reports suggesting that Communist China has been taking advantage of the devastation by purchasing destroyed land.
The senators are also demanding records on the creation and oversight of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) hiring policies for the LAFD and LADWP from April 1, 2020, to present, including how the City Council’s “efforts to dismantle systemic racism” applied to these departments.
This latest letter is one of several sent by the senators as part of their investigation, which has previously targeted LADWP CEO Janisse Quiñones and former LAFD Chief Crowley.
The City Council is required to produce all requested information no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on November 3, 2025.
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