A lawsuit filed against the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) alleges the utility failed to maintain adequate water supplies crucial for fighting the devastating Palisades Fire, which has scorched thousands of acres and claimed multiple lives.
The complaint, submitted Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, accuses LADWP of negligence for allowing the Santa Ynez Reservoir—a key water source for Pacific Palisades—to remain empty since February 2024. The reservoir, capable of holding 117 million gallons (443 million liters) of water, was dry when the fire erupted last week.
“The water supply system servicing Pacific Palisades failed miserably, leaving residents and firefighters with little to no water to fight the blaze,” said Roger Behle, an attorney representing the plaintiffs.
LADWP, the nation’s largest municipal utility, did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside regular business hours.
The Palisades Fire has killed at least eight people, destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, and burned more than 23,700 acres (96 square kilometers). As of late Monday, the blaze continued to threaten surrounding neighborhoods.
Officials have yet to determine the cause of the fire, which has also prompted Governor Gavin Newsom to call for an investigation into reports of insufficient water and low pressure hampering firefighting efforts.
LADWP acknowledged the investigation and said it would conduct an internal review. “As we face the impacts of climate change and build resilience, we welcome a review of codes and requirements if city water systems are to be used in fighting extreme wildfires,” LADWP spokesperson Ellen Cheng said in a statement Monday.
According to LADWP CEO Janisse Quinones, firefighting efforts at lower elevations impeded the utility’s ability to refill water tanks at higher elevations. Three storage tanks in Pacific Palisades were reportedly emptied within 24 hours of the fire’s start.
The lawsuit claims LADWP’s cost-cutting measures delayed essential repairs to the Santa Ynez Reservoir, further exacerbating the water shortage during the emergency.
The legal action adds to a growing number of lawsuits tied to California wildfires, including a recent case against Southern California Edison over the ongoing Eaton Fire near Pasadena.
