By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing

• The Los Angeles Fire Department’s after-action report on the 2025 Palisades Fire was sent to Mayor Karen Bass’ office for “refinements,” the president of the city’s Fire Commission said. FireRescue1
• Interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva described the document sent as a “working draft.” FireRescue1
• Commission President Genethia Hudley Hayes raised concerns about potential outside influence on the report. FireRescue1
• Fire Chief Jaime Moore acknowledged that earlier drafts were edited before public release. FireRescue1
• Bass’ office said it sought only factual confirmations and did not demand changes. FireRescue1

LOS ANGELES, CA — A draft of the after-action report examining the 2025 Palisades Fire was sent to the office of Mayor Karen Bass for “refinements” before its release, the president of the Los Angeles Fire Commission said. FireRescue1

Interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva described the document provided to the mayor’s office as a “working draft,” according to comments relayed by Fire Commission President Genethia Hudley Hayes to the Los Angeles Times. FireRescue1

Hudley Hayes, appointed to the commission in 2023, said she learned that the mayor’s office asked for refinements but did not detail what changes were requested. She said her experience suggested that such wording could signal outside influence on the report. FireRescue1

Fire Chief Jaime Moore acknowledged to commissioners that earlier versions of the report underwent edits before the public version was issued. He said that process occurred prior to his appointment and pledged such editing would not recur. FireRescue1

Officials from the mayor’s office said it did not demand changes and only asked the Fire Department to confirm the accuracy of certain factual elements, such as weather conditions and budget matters tied to the wildfire response. FireRescue1

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing

• More than a dozen lawsuit filings allege deaths tied to the 2025 Palisades Fire in California, including suicide and terminal illness claims. FireRescue1
• Plaintiffs filed the death-related claims before a state law allowing broader damage claims expired Dec. 31, 2025. FireRescue1
• Lawsuits name the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and multiple other entities as defendants. PR Newswire
• Families allege trauma and fire-related conditions hastened or contributed to their relatives’ deaths. PRESSBEE
• Defendants, including SoCalGas, have issued statements disputing responsibility for the fire and its impacts. FireRescue1

LOS ANGELES, CA — Families of wildfire victims have filed lawsuits alleging that trauma and illness following the 2025 Palisades Fire contributed to suicides and terminal illness deaths, according to court filings and legal notices. FireRescue1

More than a dozen plaintiffs added death-related claims to existing litigation against the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), Southern California Gas Company, Southern California Edison and other entities, according to legal filings. PR Newswire

The lawsuits were filed in late 2025 under California Senate Bill 447, a pilot law that expired Dec. 31, 2025, permitting recovery for decedents’ pain and suffering. Plaintiffs sought to meet the filing deadline before the law’s expiration. FireRescue1

Among the claims is an action by the widow of a man who took his own life after suffering months of distress following the loss of his home and belongings in the fire. Families of other victims allege that their relatives’ deaths from prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and myelofibrosis were hastened by conditions and trauma associated with evacuations and property loss. PRESSBEE

The master complaint against LADWP and co-defendants also alleges that operational factors, including dry hydrants and utility infrastructure failures, contributed to the spread and impact of the fire. Defendants, including SoCalGas, have issued statements saying they dispute liability and noting efforts to support recovery and infrastructure repair. FireRescue1

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• More than 100 firefighters battled a multi-alarm fire at a Denver apartment complex under construction Friday evening. FireRescue1
• The blaze in southeast Denver prompted nearby evacuations and temporary closures of Leetsdale Drive. FireRescue1
• One firefighter was injured and taken to a hospital; no other injuries were reported. ABC7 Los Angeles
• Power outages affected the surrounding area and a temporary shelter was set up in nearby Glendale. FireRescue1

DENVER, CO — More than 100 firefighters battled a major blaze Friday evening at a three-story apartment complex under construction in southeast Denver as crews worked to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures. FireRescue1

The fire, which escalated to a multi-alarm response, prompted authorities to close Leetsdale Drive and advise evacuations for residents in proximity to the scene due to intense heat and smoke. FireRescue1

One firefighter was injured while combating the blaze and was transported to Denver Health hospital; no other injuries had been reported as of the latest updates. ABC7 Los Angeles

The intense fire conditions caused significant power outages in the area, leading local officials to establish a temporary shelter at an event center in nearby Glendale for displaced residents. FireRescue1

Fire officials continued suppression efforts into the night as pockets of deep-seated fire remained in the structure, and the cause of the fire was under investigation. ABC7 Los Angeles

This is a developing story.