Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
LOS ANGELES – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has deployed its National Response Team (NRT) to Los Angeles to investigate a series of fires set during recent civil unrest. ATF is working closely with the Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Highway Patrol.
Several law enforcement and self-driving vehicles were set on fire, along with the LAPD Headquarters Facility, since the unrest began. The NRT’s mission is to determine the origin and cause of these fires and identify those responsible.
“The cause of these fires is quite obvious,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Cooper of the Los Angeles Field Division. “The task at hand now is to determine who is responsible. ATF’s National Response Team is going to be a tremendous asset, and we look forward to the results of their efforts to hold the responsible parties accountable.”
Investigators are asking anyone who was near the affected areas and may have captured photos, videos, or other useful information is asked to contact ATF. Call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously via www.ReportIt.com or the Report It mobile app, available on Google Play or Apple App Store. When using Report It, select “ATF – Los Angeles Field Division” as the reporting agency.
For those providing information, include as many details as possible relating to the identity and/or whereabouts of an individual. If a reward is sought, a tipster’s name and contact information must also be provided. To be eligible for the reward, information provided must lead to the successful conclusion of the investigation, including the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
“We’re grateful to community members willing to step forward,” Cooper continued. “If you have information about who was involved, or footage of the events, we encourage you to share it. The people of Los Angeles don’t deserve the destruction of their communities, and we’re here to help hold people accountable.”
This marks the NRT’s most recent deployment to Los Angeles since the January 2025 investigation into the Pacific Palisades fires. That case remains under investigation.
Each team includes veteran ATF Special Agents with expertise in post-blast and fire origin-and-cause determinations, along with forensic chemists, explosives enforcement officers, fire protection engineers, accelerant detection canines, explosives detection canines, and specialists in intelligence, computer forensics, and audit support. Together, they work with local partners to reconstruct scenes, identify fire origins, conduct interviews, and sift debris for evidence.
Since its founding in 1978, the NRT has deployed to 932 major fire and explosion incidents, including 12 activations this fiscal year alone. The team can typically deploy within 24 hours and brings cutting-edge tools such as unmanned aerial systems, 3D scanning, forensic mapping, and portable labs to assist investigations.
Notable past NRT deployments include:
- Maui Wildfire Disaster – One of the deadliest U.S. fires in over a century, requiring intricate investigation amid severe wind and rapid spread.
- Conception Dive Boat Fire – A deadly fire near Santa Barbara where NRT helped uncover critical evidence, leading to reforms in marine safety.
- 2020 Midwest Civil Unrest – More than 200 arson scenes processed, resulting in evidence used to make arrests and secure prosecutions.
ATF is the federal agency responsible for investigating arson and fire-related crimes. For more information, visit www.atf.gov and follow @ATFHQ and @LosAngelesATF on X for updates.
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