Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley on Thursday appealed Mayor Karen Bass’ decision to dismiss her as the fallout from the deadly Southern California wildfires continues, according to multiple news reports.

The procedural step, which is afforded by the City Charter, is unlikely to succeed. But it could cause more public agita for Mayor Karen Bass.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced Friday she has fired Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, citing in part her response to last month’s devastating wildfires, among the most destructive fires in California’s history.

Bass has appointed former Chief Deputy Ronnie Villanueva as interim fire chief. Villanueva served with the LAFD for 41 years before retiring in September 2024.

Mayor Karen Bass has dismissed Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley following the deadly Los Angeles wildfires last month.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Friday, Feb. 21, removed Kristin Crowley as the city’s fire chief, ending weeks of speculation about Crowley’s future as head of the L.A. Fire Department – though Crowley will remain in a lower position with the fire department.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass removed the city's fire chief on Friday after weeks of tension over how the deadly wildfires were handled. She said Fire Chief Kristin Crowley made the wrong decision by sending home a thousand firefighters who were ending their shift as the Palisades fire began.

The procedural step, which is afforded by the city charter, is unlikely to succeed. But it will almost certainly cause further public agita for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

Crowley will need support from at least 10 of 15 council members to be reinstated–an outcome that remains highly uncertain.