Google AI is pretty damn accurate about Palisades Fire

https://share.google/aimode/vPGXKji1bsdrcgf0z

no mention of initial attack by helos however - where did they drop
their water?

=========================

Recent deployment analysis of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)
reveals critical gaps in staffing, deteriorating response times, and
ongoing scrutiny over pre-deployment strategies during major wildfire
events in 2025.
Staffing and Infrastructure Gaps

Understaffing: LAFD is currently operating at approximately half the
staffing levels recommended by the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) for a city of its size. It staffs roughly 0.91
firefighters per 1,000 residents, significantly below the national
average of 1.54 to 1.81 for densely populated areas.
Station Decline: Despite rapid population growth, the department
currently operates fewer fire stations than it did in the 1960s.
Fleet Readiness: As of early 2025, only 78% of the department's fleet
was operational, falling short of the 90% target. This is attributed
partly to budget cuts that eliminated 50% of the department's mechanic
positions.

Response Time Trends
Analysis of response data from 2018 to 2022 shows a significant
decline in performance metrics:

Increase in Response Times: The 90th percentile response time for all
incidents increased from 6:51 in 2018 to 7:53 in 2022.
Medical Travel Times: For emergency medical incidents, the percentage
of calls failing to meet the 4-minute travel time standard rose from
49% in 2018 to 61% in 2022.
Operational Efficiency: While call processing and crew turnout remain
strong (averaging 1:08 and 0:47 respectively), actual travel times are
hindered by Los Angeles' traffic congestion and complex topography.

Wildfire Pre-Deployment Controversy
The LAFD faced intense scrutiny regarding its deployment decisions
during the January 2025 wildfires, specifically the Palisades Fire:

Pre-Deployment Failures: Reports indicate the department failed to
pre-deploy roughly 1,000 available firefighters and dozens of
water-carrying engines despite dire wind forecasts.
Strategic Delays: Only 5 of more than 40 available wildfire engines
were readied before the fire started.
Report Revisions: An after-action report author rejected a final draft
in early 2026, alleging that significant findings—such as violations
of national safety guidelines and delays in crew assignments—were
deleted or softened by department leadership.

Strategic Improvements (2023–2026)
The department is currently implementing its 2023-2026 Strategic Plan,
which focuses on:

New Wildfire Teams: Deployment of "Crew 4," the department's first
paid hand crew specifically trained for cutting fire lines in extreme
heat.
Advanced Medical Units: Expanding Advanced Provider Response Units
(APRU) and Fast Response Vehicles (FRV) to treat patients on-scene,
which aims to offload volume from heavy suppression apparatus and
improve overall availability.
Predictive Analytics: Increasing investment in FireStat to transition
toward AI-driven insights and predictive modeling for more proactive
resource allocation.

What improvements to wildfire pre-deployment are being made?
What staffing levels do LAFD's APRUs and FRVs use?
What obstacles did LAFD face in preparing for the 2025 wildfires?