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LAist requested fire-related texts and emails from the LA mayor’s office. We’re still waiting
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass waits to speak during a news conference, Jan. 24, 2023.
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Marcio Jose Sanchez
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AP
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LAist is still waiting for fire-related texts and emails from the L.A. mayor’s office after asking for the communication via a public records request submitted in mid-January.
Our public records request sought emails and texts regarding wildfire preparedness ahead of the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires in January. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass’ office initially told LAist they needed until May 1 to respond to our records request for communication that took place ahead of the fires — but last week they punted to May 29, saying the office will produce records on a rolling basis.
In early April, the mayor’s office provided LAist with some text messages released to other media outlets from the day the Palisades Fire started which showed Bass hurrying to get home.
How we got here
The fires ignited after the National Weather Service issued a rare warning about life threatening winds on Jan.7. Bass was in Ghana when the first of the devastating January wildfires broke out as a member of a federal delegation for the inauguration of the country’s new president. Her journey home took about 24 hours, during which the city and region experienced one of the most devastating firestorms in L.A.’s history.
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In all, 30 people died in the Palisades and Eaton fires, including 12 in the city of L.A. More than 15,000 homes and other structures were destroyed.
Details of the records request
Under the California Public Records Act, LAist originally requested the following texts and other communication:
- Text messages sent and received from the city cell phone(s) issued to Mayor Karen Bass, from Jan. 1, 2025, to Jan. 8, 2025, containing any of the following words and phrases in their body text: red flag warning, strong winds, winds, fire, Pacific Palisades, Pacific Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Pasadena, Altadena, response and Hurst Fire.
- Emails sent and received by Mayor Karen Bass from Jan. 1, 2025, to Jan. 8, 2025, containing any of the following words and phrases in their body text: red flag warning, strong winds, winds, fire, Pacific Palisades, Pacific Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Pasadena, Altadena, response and Hurst Fire.
- Email communications between Mayor Karen Bass and LAFD Fire Chief Kristin Crowley from Jan. 1, 2025, to Jan. 8, 2025.
Following the release of text messages related to the January fires to other media organizations, LAist requested to review the available records. The mayor’s office shared some of those text messages from the day the fire started with LAist on April 3. LAist is still waiting on communications from the days prior to the start of the fires.
When asked on Friday, Bass’ spokesperson did not provide comment on why it has taken so long to process LAist’s records request.
Why it matters
The California Public Records Act grants the public the right to access most public records. It was signed into law in 1968 — the state legislature declared at the time “that access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state.”
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News organizations routinely seek public records to shed light on government actions.
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