Federal Grand Jury Subpoenas LAFD Communications in Palisades Fire Investigation
A federal grand jury has subpoenaed the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) for text messages and other communications related to reports of smoke or hotspots near the site of the January 1st Lachman brushfire, which later reignited as the devastating Palisades fire.
The subpoena, issued by the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles, seeks all communications between 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 10 a.m. on January 7th, according to an internal department memo dated today, November 6, 2025. The request comes after reports surfaced last week detailing concerns from firefighters that the Lachman fire was not fully extinguished before crews were ordered to leave the area. The Palisades fire ultimately became the most destructive in the city’s history, causing widespread damage and loss of life.
The investigation is connected to an ongoing criminal case involving Jonathan Rinderknecht, a former Pacific Palisades resident charged with deliberately setting the initial Lachman fire. According to an affidavit, investigators determined the fire smoldered underground for days before winds fueled the larger Palisades inferno. Firefighters’ text messages reportedly indicated they warned a battalion chief that the terrain was still smoldering, with one message stating it was a “bad idea” to leave due to visible smoke. Another firefighter noted tree stumps were still hot when the crew departed. You can find more information about wildfire prevention at the National Fire Protection Association.
The U.S. attorney’s office declined to comment on the subpoena, and the LAFD has not responded to questions regarding the firefighter accounts. Mayor Karen Bass has directed interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva to investigate the matter, and calls for an independent inquiry have been made. The department has previously stated officials took all appropriate steps to fully extinguish the Lachman fire, but has not yet released complete dispatch records from that period. Recent reporting suggests a potential disconnect between on-the-ground assessments and command decisions.
Officials stated the investigation is ongoing and further updates will be provided as they become available.
