A recent article in the Los Angeles Times reveals that firefighters were instructed to leave an underground fire that eventually ignited into the destructive Palisades Fire. This decision was met with skepticism by the crews on the scene, who believed it was not advisable.

The Times accessed text messages showing that firefighters had informed their battalion chief that the area of the Lachman Fire, which broke out on New Year’s Day and was later contained, was still smoldering with hot rocks scattered around.