Julie Johnson
@jjreport.bsky.social
Reporter with the San Francisco Chronicle covering wildfires, forests, energy and greater Northern California. Proud alumna Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Pulitzer Prize in breaking news ‘18. Scripps Howard finalist '24.
Reach me on signal: juliejohnson.84
Reach me on signal: juliejohnson.84
And, stunningly, the LAFD's official "after action" report -- issued the same day the ATF announced the fire's cause -- fails to mention the connection between the two fires. It offered no reflections on the department's failure to prevent the fire from rekindling. lafd.org/sites/defaul...
lafd.org
October 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
And, stunningly, the LAFD's official "after action" report -- issued the same day the ATF announced the fire's cause -- fails to mention the connection between the two fires. It offered no reflections on the department's failure to prevent the fire from rekindling. lafd.org/sites/defaul...
However, questions remain about why the Los Angeles Fire Department didn't station crews at the Lachman fire scar when forecasters issued urgent warnings about historically dangerous fire weather. www.latimes.com/california/s...
After Palisades fire failures, L.A. promises to beef up staffing during high-risk fire weather
Challenges faced during the Palisades fire included an ineffective process for recalling off-duty firefighters, and top fire officials with little experience handling a major incident.
www.latimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
However, questions remain about why the Los Angeles Fire Department didn't station crews at the Lachman fire scar when forecasters issued urgent warnings about historically dangerous fire weather. www.latimes.com/california/s...
This week, Pac Palisades residents finally have an answer. The ATF detailed its conclusion the Palisades Fire was a "holdover" fire from the earlier New Year's Day Lachman Fire. And prosecutors announced they'd arrested a man suspected of igniting it. www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
A burned Bible and ChatGPT messages: Chilling details of the case against man charged with starting Palisades Fire
Investigators allege Uber driver Jonathan Rinderknecht lit a fire early New Year’s Day that was extinguished but smoldering and rekindled days later.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
This week, Pac Palisades residents finally have an answer. The ATF detailed its conclusion the Palisades Fire was a "holdover" fire from the earlier New Year's Day Lachman Fire. And prosecutors announced they'd arrested a man suspected of igniting it. www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
Then, @mgafni.bsky.social acquired surveillance video showing the similar origins of both wildfires. Other major fires (Oakland, Lahaina) erupted from earlier fires. @ryangabrielson.bsky.social urged us to again ask: Could the Palisades Fire have been another?
www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
Exclusive footage: Deadly Palisades Fire may have grown from this Jan. 1 blaze
Video obtained by the Chronicle shows the January wildfire in Los Angeles may have grown from earlier blaze.
www.sfchronicle.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Then, @mgafni.bsky.social acquired surveillance video showing the similar origins of both wildfires. Other major fires (Oakland, Lahaina) erupted from earlier fires. @ryangabrielson.bsky.social urged us to again ask: Could the Palisades Fire have been another?
www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
Another Pacific Palisades resident, Don Griffin, took photos of both fire origins from his backyard. He said that he too was struck by the coincidence. Neighbors had complained about fireworks in the past and wondered if NYE blasts were to blame.
October 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Another Pacific Palisades resident, Don Griffin, took photos of both fire origins from his backyard. He said that he too was struck by the coincidence. Neighbors had complained about fireworks in the past and wondered if NYE blasts were to blame.
Pac Palisades resident Ari Sallus was among early 911 callers to report that NYE fire. He walked the burn scar on Jan. 2 and said he was surprised to see no firefighters there. Six days later, he and his family lost their home in the Palisades Fire.
October 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Pac Palisades resident Ari Sallus was among early 911 callers to report that NYE fire. He walked the burn scar on Jan. 2 and said he was surprised to see no firefighters there. Six days later, he and his family lost their home in the Palisades Fire.
In a Jan. 11 story, we reported on this possibility. We interviewed fire behavior experts and residents. LAFD said they didn't use heat detection devices to ensure it was out, though experts told us embers can smolder underground for a long time.
www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
Was an L.A. fire started by the rekindling of a blaze from New Year’s Day?
Firefighters stopped a 9-acre fire from burning into Pacific Palisades before dawn on New...
www.sfchronicle.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
In a Jan. 11 story, we reported on this possibility. We interviewed fire behavior experts and residents. LAFD said they didn't use heat detection devices to ensure it was out, though experts told us embers can smolder underground for a long time.
www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
