Bass has appointed former Chief Deputy Ronnie Villanueva as interim fire chief. Villanueva served with the LAFD for 41 years before retiring in September 2024.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Friday, Feb. 21, removed Kristin Crowley as the city’s fire chief, ending weeks of speculation about Crowley’s future as head of the L.A. Fire Department – though Crowley will remain in a lower position with the fire department.

Among the reasons cited for Crowley's removal was the sending home firefighters when the fires broke out, and her refusal to conduct an after-action report.