Who is Kristin Crowley? Los Angeles fire chief faces a wave of anger

Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley is facing a wave of anger amid wildfires in the state that have forced thousands to evacuate their homes.

It comes as authorities have said the four fires that have burned more than 4,000 acres have yet to be contained. Some firefighters have also reported that hydrants are dry, preventing them from being able to stop the flames, according to reports.

Such reports have prompted some social media users to lash out at Crowley’s management of the fire department.

Newsweek has reached out to Crowley’s office for comment via email.

Why it matters

So far, two deaths have been reported as a result of the fires. The fires remain a threat to human health and create hazardous air quality conditions that pose a serious health risk.

Levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) in the air are expected to reach unhealthy or higher levels.

This means that “everyone may begin to experience some adverse health effects, such as difficulty breathing and throat irritation, while sensitive groups may experience more severe impacts,” according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Susceptible groups include people with heart or lung disease, children, pregnant women and older adults.

Meanwhile, the fires have also seen schools close and hundreds of thousands of homes without power.

What to know

Four fires are currently burning in Los Angeles, including the Eaton fire near Altadena, which has burned 1,000 acres, the Palisades fire in Pacific Palisades, which has burned 2,900 acres so far, and the Hurst fire, north of San Fernando, which has burned 500 hectares.

In the last hour or so, a fourth, smaller fire — the Tyler fire — has been reported by the state fire marshal in Riverside County, currently burning about 15 acres in size.

Authorities say none of the flames have been contained and there is “no way” to bring them under control. According to the LA Fire Department, the situation remains “very dangerous” and wind speeds are “exacerbating”.

The Los Angeles Times also reported that some firefighters battling the flames said on internal radio systems that hydrants were coming up dry, meaning they didn’t have enough water to put out the fire.

A spokesperson for the LA Department of Water & Power confirmed reports of reduced water flow from hydrants, but did not provide details on the number or extent of the problem. In a statement to Los Angeles Timesthe agency said crews were working to maintain water supplies that rely on water tanks.

The extent and cause of the problem remains unclear. Similar hydrant problems hampered firefighting efforts during the Ventura County mountain fire in November when idle water pumps delayed the delivery of water on the mountainside.

In the midst of such problems, Crowley faces scrutiny.

Who is Kristin Crowley?

Crowley is the first woman and first openly LGBTQ+ person to hold the post. She is married to retired firefighter Hollyn Bullock.

Her nomination came after former Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas resigned amid growing scrutiny for not doing enough to stop sexist and racist behavior in the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Mayor Eric Garcetti said at the time that he nominated Crowley for the position not because of her gender, but because of her ability and skill with public safety challenges.

“I’m looking for who’s the best, not just who makes history,” Garcetti said at a press conference. “Because the protection of our city must first and foremost go to the person best prepared to lead. But let me be clear, it is Kristin Crowley. And this progress is incredibly important and long overdue.”

When she was appointed to her position in 2022, she had been in the fire service for 22 years, having served as a firefighter, paramedic, engineer, fire inspector, captain, battalion chief, assistant chief, fire marshal and deputy chief. She became Los Angeles’ first female fire marshal in 2016. When she took the firefighter exam in the late 1990s, she was in the top 50 out of 16,000 applicants.

Accepting the nomination, Crowley said: “As Fire Chief, if confirmed, I pledge to take a strategic and balanced approach to ensure we meet the needs of the community we serve. We will focus our efforts on increasing our operational effectiveness and improve firefighter safety and well-being and fully commit to promoting a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture within the LAFD.”

What people say

The MAGA Voice X account wrote: “Los Angeles Fire Chief Was More Focused on LGBTQ Initiatives Than Refilling Water Reservoirs.”

Commentator Rogan O’Handley, aka DC Draino, wrote on X: “On the left is the LA fire chief who allowed her city to burn down with no water in the hydrants. On the right is the New Orleans police chief who allowed a terrorist attack on Bourbon without street barriers. The DEI is literally getting people killed. Bring the merit back.”

What happens next

Firefighters and emergency workers continue to respond to the fires and evacuate residents from their homes.

Santa Ana winds are expected to ease Thursday as the storm system moves away from the region, bringing some relief to affected areas.