In a tragic turn of events, text messages have surfaced revealing that firefighters had expressed concerns about leaving a smoldering brush fire unattended in the Pacific Palisades. Despite their warnings, they were instructed by their battalion chief to withdraw, a decision that may have contributed to a subsequent deadly fire that claimed 12 lives.

The Los Angeles Times has obtained text messages indicating that firefighters cautioned their battalion chief about the lingering heat and smoldering conditions at the site of the Lachman Fire. This fire, which ignited on New Year’s Day, had been declared contained but evidently left areas that were still hot to the touch.

Despite these warnings, the battalion chief directed the firefighters to pack up and leave the scene on January 2, just a day after the 8-acre fire was deemed contained. This decision was made instead of ensuring that no hidden embers remained that could potentially reignite the blaze, as reported by the Times.