LAFD Memo Revealed Plan to ‘Protect’ L.A. Mayor Over Wildfire Handling

A memo from the Los Angeles Fire Department allegedly revealed its intention to “protect” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass over her handling of the 2025 wildfires, according to a report.

In a 13-page “confidential memo” titled “LAFD AARR: Strategic Response Plan,” it was revealed that the goal was to “prepare and protect Mayor Bass, the city and the LAFD from reputational harm,” according to the Los Angeles Times (LA Times).

The memo was released ahead of an “after action review report on the Palisades fire,” according to the outlet.

“Our goal is to prepare and protect Mayor Bass, the City, and the LAFD from reputational harm associated with the upcoming public release of his AARR, through a comprehensive strategy that includes risk assessment, proactive and reactive communications, and crisis response,” the memo said, according to the news outlet.

According to the outlet, the memo “aims to shape media coverage of the report’s findings:”

The 13-page document is on LAFD letterhead and includes the email addresses of department officials, representatives from Bass’s office and public relations consultants hired to help shape messaging about the fire, although it is unclear to whom it was ultimately distributed. The Times obtained the memo, titled “LAFD AAR: Strategic Response Plan,” from the LAFD through the California Public Records Act.

Marked “for internal use only,” the memo, which is unsigned, aims to shape media coverage of the report’s findings, including working to “minimize difficult questions and answers” by asking to hold closed-door briefings with the Fire Commission and City Council. The memo is undated but states: “This plan has been updated with the latest schedule as of 10/7.” The after-action report was made public on October 8.

Amy Furr of Breitbart News reported that the Los Angeles Times previously reviewed an “internal email” that showed Bass “apparently controlled how media questions would be handled.”