Southern California Fire Chief Takes Helm of US Wildland Fire Service

Former Chief of the Orange County Fire Authority Brian Fennessy, who grew up in Altadena, will oversee the creation of the new U.S. Wildland Fire Service, the Department of the Interior announced on Jan. 12. He brings nearly 50 years of firefighting experience, having most recently witnessed the devastation of the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires in the Southern California region, which together destroyed thousands of homes and killed 31 people. “Wildfire response depends on coordination, clarity, and speed,” Fennessy said in a statement. “This initial planning effort is about bringing programs together, strengthening cooperation across the Department, and building a framework that better supports firefighters and the communities they serve.”...