Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced Friday she has fired Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, citing in part her response to last month’s devastating Palisades wildfire, among the most destructive in California’s history.

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.

Kirstin Crowley made her first public statement Saturday since being removed as the Los Angeles Fire Department Chief by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.