LOS ANGELES (NewsNation) — California State Parks’ wildfire management plan instructs officials to let it burn in certain circumstances, a policy now under scrutiny after the Palisades fire killed 12 people and destroyed 7,000 structures in what became the third-most destructive wildfire in state history.
Documents obtained through a public records request show the state’s wildfire mitigation plan for Topanga State Park explicitly states: “Unless specified otherwise, State Parks prefers to let Topanga State Park burn in a wildfire event.”
The policy, designed “to restore the natural fire frequency and chaparral habitats,” is raising questions about why the initial Lachman fire was not fully extinguished before underground embers reignited six days later into the catastrophic Palisades fire.
After an alleged arsonist started the Lachman fire on New Year’s Eve, firefighters fought the blaze, declared it contained, and pulled up their hoses. But videos shot by hikers one and two days after the fire show embers still smoldering in the state park.
State Parks plan says burn policy to restore natural fire frequency
Roger Behle, an attorney representing more than 3,000 fire victims, said the “let it burn” philosophy was shocking.
“The thought of letting something burn, especially a wildfire, to us, just seems upside down,” Behle said. “The priority ought to be extinguish the wildfire and any remnants of it, and then you can go in and look to see what impact it’s had on the plant life in the state park.”
The management plan also designates “avoidance areas” with native plant species and includes “avoidance maps” that restrict firefighters battling blazes in certain zones.
Firefighters say state rep told them to avoid areas with protected plants
Behle said firefighters reported a state parks representative showed them a map during the Lachman fire response and told them they could not enter certain areas because of protected plant species and could not use heavy equipment like bulldozers.
Photographs obtained by NewsNation directly contradict California’s claims that the state was not involved in monitoring the fire that ultimately became the deadly Palisades blaze, adding to mounting questions about officials’ handling of the disaster. Courtesy: Michael McNellis 
Photographs obtained by NewsNation directly contradict California’s claims that the state was not involved in monitoring the fire that ultimately became the deadly Palisades blaze, adding to mounting questions about officials’ handling of the disaster. Courtesy: Michael McNellis 
Photographs obtained by NewsNation directly contradict California’s claims that the state was not involved in monitoring the fire that ultimately became the deadly Palisades blaze, adding to mounting questions about officials’ handling of the disaster. Courtesy: Michael McNellis
“In that wildfire mitigation plan, we see that there are areas referred to as avoidance areas where state parks says heavy equipment should not be used,” Behle said. “Mopping up activities cannot occur in these areas unless you have, for example, an archaeologist on site, which is consistent with what the firefighters told us about January 1.”
California State Parks denied restricting firefighters’ response capabilities.
Attorney: Policy and on-site presence prove state was responsible
“State Parks never hinders an active firefighting response, and firefighting decisions are up to the responding agency,” a spokesperson said.
However, photographs obtained by NewsNation show state park representatives on scene directing firefighters with maps on Jan. 1 and Jan. 2.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office has repeatedly maintained “the state wasn’t responsible for responding to or monitoring this fire.”
But Behle said the written plan and the presence of state parks representatives on site demonstrate the fire was on state land, the state was responsible and was monitoring the fire.