Senate committee leaders Rick Scott and Ron Johnson have announced a field hearing in Pacific Palisades, California, to address the aftermath of the deadly Palisades fire that occurred in January 2025. The hearing, titled “Forgotten After the Flames: Stories from the Palisades Fire,” is scheduled for Thursday, November 13, at 9:00 a.m. PT at 15247 La Cruz Drive.
The event will focus on the experiences of survivors and local leaders who claim their concerns have not been addressed following the disaster. It will also review failures in government preparedness and response at various levels. According to organizers, the investigation aims to identify what went wrong from the community’s perspective and find opportunities for reform so that future disaster recovery efforts are more inclusive.
“The chairmen continue their investigation into what went wrong from the community’s perspective, identify opportunities for reform, and ensure no community is left behind in future disaster preparedness or recovery efforts,” according to a statement from committee leadership.
As part of their inquiry, Scott and Johnson have sent letters requesting information about emergency responses during and after the wildfires. Recipients include Los Angeles City Council President, Janisse Quiñones (CEO of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power), former Los Angeles Fire Chief Crowley, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, DOI Secretary Doug Burgum, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. One letter asked Bessent to investigate reports that China has purchased land destroyed by these wildfires.
Witnesses set to testify include Tom Doran (survivor and executive committee member of Squadron 283), David Schwarz (chairman of the Palisades Community Council Reconstruction Committee), Jessica Rogers (president of Palisades Residents Association), John Alle (president of John Alle Company), as well as Bruce and Rachel Schwartz—all survivors of the fire.
A live stream of the hearing will be available online.
