Scott Pike’s Explosive Testimony Ignites Controversy in High-Profile Fire Investigation

The testimony of Scott Pike has significantly weakened the defense strategies of Los Angeles and California in the ongoing litigation concerning the victims of the Palisades Fire.

Pike, who has dedicated 23 years to the Los Angeles Fire Department, revealed in his deposition that he witnessed signs of the Lachman Fire still burning on January 2, despite orders for firefighters to vacate the area the previous day.

On January 7, strong winds revived the remnants of the Lachman Fire, escalating it into the devastating Palisades Fire, which captured national attention.

During his deposition, Pike described to the attorneys the presence of “red hot like coals” that continued to smolder.

He identified five distinct hotspots emitting smoke and discovered an ash pit that remained too hot to touch, even with his protective glove.

He testified that he alerted his captain — who did nothing.

“It kind of sits heavy on me that no one listened to me,” he said.

It sits heavy on everyone — and it should sit heaviest on the shoulders of Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Lawyers for the city tried to keep Pike’s testimony secret, along with the testimony of 11 other firefighters.

One of them was Tom Kitahata, who said that the burn scar from the Lachman Fire was on state land. Other firefighters also said that state officials told them they would monitor the site.

The state denies that, and claims that firefighting is strictly LA’s responsibility.

But as The California Post reported last year, California State Parks had just adopted a policy restricting firefighting in “Avoidance Areas” on state land.

Those areas include spots suspected to have engendered plant species, or archeological sites.

According to a California State Parks document, “No mop-up techniques are allowed in avoidance areas without the presence of an archaeologist.”

All of this is emerging long after the fire — after state, city, and fire officials told the public that they had done everything possible to prevent and to stop the disaster.

The truth is trickling out — in documents and depositions from private lawsuits, and through investigative journalism. 

But it is not coming from city and state leaders, whose primary concern has been avoiding blame.

That is why Bass’ office edited the LAFD’s weak after-action report. That is why Newsom barely bothers to show up in Pacific Palisades.

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If they had just been honest from the start, they would have retained the trust of residents in fire zones. 

Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) have launched an investigation of the Palisades Fire, and for good reason: Local officials have misled the public.

We need transparency if the communities affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires are to rebuild as quickly as possible. 

Honesty is always the best policy. It would have been best for Bass, Newsom, and other officials to tell the truth from the start — and to accept responsibility for their mistakes.

Because like it or not, the truth will eventually emerge.

And Scott Pike’s truth might just force LA and California to admit fault.