The Palisades fire was a disaster waiting to happen, and Traci Park was caught flat-footed

The recent Palisades Fire was a disaster waiting to happen, and when it did, Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park was caught flat-footed. Wildfires in this district aren’t a surprise—they’re a certainty. Yet, after two years in office, Park has little to show in terms of meaningful fire prevention, preparedness, or response. Her failure to maintain critical fire roads, clear overgrown brush, and engage the community in wildfire safety left residents exposed and first responders struggling to contain the flames.  

Neglecting Basic Fire Safety  

The Palisades is one of LA’s most fire-prone areas, where steep hills, dense vegetation, and narrow roads make fast-moving fires especially dangerous. After record rainfall last winter and spring, overgrown brush created a ticking time bomb. Despite this obvious risk, Park failed to ensure that fire roads—essential access routes for firefighters and emergency vehicles—were maintained and passable. When the fire erupted, responders faced unnecessary delays trying to navigate crumbling, overgrown roads. Those lost minutes mattered.  

Fire roads are a basic necessity, not a luxury. Park’s neglect of this fundamental responsibility didn’t just inconvenience firefighters—it actively made their job harder and put lives at risk.  

Two Years of Missed Opportunities  

Park has had more than enough time to take action. She could have enforced brush clearance, expanded community fire safety programs, and worked with fire officials to strengthen local defenses. Instead, she did next to nothing. Climate experts and first responders have been sounding the alarm for years—yet Park failed to prioritize even the most basic fire mitigation efforts.  

Just as concerning, she failed to keep residents informed. A proactive leader would have held town halls, distributed clear safety plans, and ensured people knew how to protect their homes. But under Park, outreach has been minimal, leaving many residents unprepared when the inevitable happened.  

Failing Residents After the Fire  

Even after the flames were out, Park’s lack of leadership has continued. Residents returning home face toxic ash, air pollution, and hazardous debris—serious health threats that require more than just a handful of N95 masks. The city should have been ready with proper cleanup resources, protective gear, and clear guidance. Instead, people have been left to fend for themselves in unsafe conditions.  

Park’s response has been reactive at best and indifferent at worst. Her failure to plan for both fire prevention and recovery is part of a pattern—one that puts public safety last. Residents of Council District 11 deserve leadership that prioritizes safety and takes proactive steps to prevent these crises, not someone who scrambles to catch up once it’s too late. Traci Park has had two years to prove she can handle the job. She hasn’t. And the consequences have been dangerous.