After a nine-month interval, the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles at the beginning of the year have once again sparked attention. The arrest and prosecution of the arson suspect have brought the incident back into focus. Shockingly, investigations have revealed that the source of the Palisades Fire smoldered underground for a week before spiraling out of control. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has responded to these revelations.
Pacific Palisades, once one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, was engulfed in flames on January 7th, destroying around 7,000 structures and claiming the lives of 12 individuals. Federal prosecutors announced on Wednesday (8th) that the culprit behind this catastrophe is a 29-year-old man by the name of Jonathan Rinderknecht.
During the extensive nine-month investigation, researchers unearthed a critical detail: Jonathan initially ignited the Lachman Fire on January 1st before the Palisades wildfire was sparked by an underground “holdover fire.” So, what exactly happened?
Federal prosecutors allege that Jonathan sparked the Lachman Fire in the early hours of January 1st. Despite firefighters quickly extinguishing the flames, the source continued to smolder quietly 15-20 feet underground within the root system. It wasn’t until January 7th, when strong winds brought the fire to the surface, that it rapidly escalated into the uncontrollable Palisades Fire.
The truth of the fire lingering underground for a week has shocked many, with some questioning why the fire department did not utilize thermal imaging technology to detect the residual embers underground.
In a statement on Thursday, Acting Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva of the LAFD explained that detecting fires smoldering deep underground is challenging.
“Underground fires are typically difficult to detect with infrared imaging because the source is often buried deeply, especially in bushy terrain where dense root systems can conceal the heat of the fire,” he said. The fire on January 7th was not a result of unsuccessful firefighting or rekindling but rather the underground fire being “activated” under extreme wind conditions.
The fire department clarified that “holdover fires” generally refer to deeply buried fire sources that, after an initial ignition, can enter a dormant or smoldering state underground, without visible flames or rapid spread. These fires can maintain heat underground, especially in resin-rich shrubs and woody root systems that provide fuel conditions. When external conditions are favorable (such as dry weather or strong winds), hidden fire sources may suddenly ignite intensely.
The fire department further noted in a statement that shrubs grow in steep and rugged terrain where it is almost impossible to excavate or trench to expose smoldering root systems.
However, shrublands are representative ecosystems of Southern California, with many species of shrubs possessing deep root systems that can survive in arid environments and quickly regenerate after wildfires. The resin-rich plants, rugged terrain, and long dry seasons make shrublands not only ecologically vital but also a significant challenge for wildfire management in Southern California.
With the arson suspect apprehended, the Los Angeles Fire Department released a 70-page “After-Action Review Report” on Wednesday detailing the events that occurred within 36 hours of the fire outbreak.
The report highlighted that despite extremely challenging conditions, firefighting efforts protected thousands of lives, deemed a success. However, the initial firefighting response was hampered by resource shortages and firefighters experiencing excessive fatigue.
“The initial firefighting teams were lacking appropriate resources to handle the red flag weather conditions,” the report mentioned, “and dispatching specific fire crews instead of deploying available resources closest to the incident delayed the response time.”
Following the wildfire outbreak, then Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley was dismissed by the mayor for inadequate disaster response. However, her supporters argue that this decision was made to deflect responsibility for budget cuts and diplomatic missteps.
This incident underscores the complexities and challenges faced in managing wildfires, especially in regions prone to such disasters. It serves as a reminder of the importance of robust firefighting strategies, early detection methods, and adequate resource allocation to effectively combat and mitigate the devastating impacts of wildfires.