Crisis in Montague: Fire Department Controversy and City Leadership Under Fire

In Siskiyou County’s small community of Montague, a complex crisis involving the fire department and city leadership has escalated into a significant public safety concern, leading to heated public meetings and calls for leadership changes.

The controversy centers around Fire Chief Jason Vela’s removal from office following undisclosed allegations from Assistant Fire Chief Takeshi Murakami, who also serves as the city’s mayor. Despite initial investigations by both the sheriff’s office and district attorney yielding no charges, recent developments saw the district attorney’s office raid the fire department and Chief Vela’s home, confiscating computers and electronic devices that had reportedly been previously reviewed.

Under Chief Vela’s leadership, the department underwent a remarkable transformation. He modernized the fleet by replacing antiquated equipment, including the release of Engine 513 (an old repurposed Forest Service loaner) and the sale of Engine 514 (a 1982 model with over 200,000 miles). These were replaced with newer vehicles including Engine 511, purchased for $12,000 with modern features like air conditioning, and Engine 512, acquired from a local fire department. The department also acquired Water Tender 531 with under 6,000 miles at minimal cost and purchased a new quick-attack wet rescue engine – only the second new engine acquisition for Montague since 1935.

Additional improvements included the acquisition of a new quad-cab utility pickup truck, replacement of over 20 air packs (twice), 20+ new digital radios, FLIR thermal imaging cameras for firefighter safety, upgrade of the entire pager system, and two complete sets of new bunker gear for structural firefighting. These achievements were accomplished despite operating on a budget that hasn’t been updated since the 1970s, largely through grants and creative financing secured by Chief Vela.

The situation came to a head during an October 3rd, 2024, city council meeting where residents voiced numerous concerns. Michael Crow challenged the legality of a closed-door agenda item, while Teresa Newton presented a petition signed by 17 fire department volunteers calling for Assistant Fire Chief Murakami’s resignation. Former city employee Mindy Vela described resigning due to an “intensely uncomfortable, confusing, and hostile work environment.”

A particularly pointed critique came from John McKnight, a 30-year fire department veteran, who recounted a September 15th incident where Mayor Murakami, in his role as assistant fire chief, allegedly responded unprofessionally to a medical aid call and demonstrated inability to properly use essential firefighting equipment. McKnight’s blunt assessment concluded with a call for Murakami to “step down and get on your white horse and ride off into the sunset.”

The department’s reach extends far beyond Montague’s borders, providing crucial mutual aid to numerous communities including Copco, Hornbrook, Yreka City, South Yreka, Grenada, Mayten, Lake Shasta, Mount Shasta, McCloud, and Cal-Fire’s State Responsibility areas. This regional support is critical – for instance, Montague often serves as first responder to Copco despite a 45-minute drive time, where delayed response could mean the difference between a contained incident and an unstoppable spread of fire.

However, the current leadership crisis has reportedly transformed the once-bustling station into what observers describe as a “ghost town.” Where volunteers once regularly gathered, with station doors open and equipment being actively maintained, the facility now often stands empty. This dramatic reduction in volunteer presence has raised serious concerns about emergency response capabilities and the department’s ability to maintain its crucial mutual aid commitments.

Adding to the administrative chaos, the council recently placed the wrong person on administrative leave for the fire department treasurer position, apparently unaware of who actually held the role. When this error was pointed out, the council had to be advised to review their own minutes to determine whom they had actually appointed to the position.

On December 5th, 2024, tensions escalated further when the city council attempted to reorganize its leadership through a vote to change Mayor Murakami’s position on the council. The vote ended in a 2-2 tie, with Murakami himself casting the deciding vote to maintain his current position, raising significant ethical concerns about conflict of interest. While the council can reorganize its internal leadership positions, it cannot remove a council member from their elected position entirely.

The situation is further complicated by a vacancy on the five-member council. The empty fifth seat, which could potentially break such deadlocks, is expected to be filled in January 2025. This vacancy has left the council in a position where tied votes like the December 5th decision can be determined by the very person whose position is under consideration.

Local firefighters have reportedly been threatened with legal action if they discuss department business outside the station, creating what many describe as a hostile work environment. This atmosphere has led to decreased volunteer participation, potentially compromising emergency response times for not only Montague but also the surrounding communities that depend on their mutual aid for structure fires, vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies.

Critics argue that the Assistant Chief should step aside due to multiple conflicts of interest until the alleged misconduct is investigated, suggesting that other resources could temporarily fill both the Chief and Assistant Chief positions until the situation is resolved. Meanwhile, supporters of Chief Vela argue that after months of unproven allegations and no formal charges, he should be reinstated from administrative leave pending conclusive findings.

As the community awaits the filling of the vacant council seat in January 2025, questions remain about how these issues of leadership, public safety, and governmental accountability will be resolved. The situation has exposed deep-seated frustrations with the city’s governance and raised serious concerns about the future of emergency services in the region.

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