Topic: Fire Chief

Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an investigation into the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power regarding the failure of hydrant pressure during the wildfires. Reports indicate that the 117-million-gallon Palisades Reservoir was found to be empty when the fires began, a major infrastructure oversight. The disaster is compared to historical fires where safety rules were eventually neglected after years of successful prevention.

Governor Gavin Newsom is criticized for the removal of four dams to benefit salmon and indigenous fishing rights, which critics argue removed vital water sources for firefighting. The segment also revisits the protection of the Delta Smelt, a small fish that has historically limited water diversions to Southern California.

Analysis turns to the failure of the Maui fire department, with claims that a fire initially deemed contained was left unmonitored during high winds. Speculation arises that the destruction of historic Lahaina benefits developers who wish to modernize the high-value tourism district. The potential for insurance companies to use "force majeure" or "act of God" clauses to avoid payouts is also considered.

NBC News is criticized for a "shameless" report that ties the death of a fire chief from COVID-19 to his role as a first responder at Sandy Hook. The report uses "grim scenes" of refrigerated trailers and National Guard body movements to emphasize the rising death toll in the U.S.