Los Angeles residents affected by the devastating Palisades wildfire have filed a lawsuit against city authorities, alleging that downed municipal power lines were responsible for igniting the blaze. The fire, which tore through parts of Pacific Palisades and Altadena in January, resulted in at least 29 deaths and the destruction of over 16,000 structures.
Power Line Controversy: Did the City Mislead the Public?
According to the lawsuit, a Washington Post article published on January 12 quoted the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) as stating that the power lines near the fire’s origin had been disconnected from the electricity system for five years. However, residents’ lawyers argue that this claim was false.
Last week, the city’s legal team admitted that the statement was incorrect and clarified that the power lines were actually active at the time of the fire. Despite this revelation, LADWP maintains that there were no faults detected on the line when the fire started.
Water Shortages May Have Worsened the Fire
The lawsuit also accuses LADWP of draining two major water reservoirs—Santa Ynez and Chautauqua—before the fire, allegedly to cut maintenance costs. These reservoirs were critical to the city’s firefighting efforts, and their depletion may have hindered emergency response efforts, allowing the fire to spread more rapidly.
This isn’t the first legal battle over the Palisades wildfire. In January, another lawsuit was filed against LADWP, claiming that the agency failed to properly manage the city’s water supply, which could have played a role in the fire’s devastating impact.
Residents Seek Compensation for Their Losses
The lawsuit demands compensation for the victims, including the cost of rebuilding homes and businesses destroyed in the fire. Many residents are calling for greater accountability from the city and its public utilities to prevent future disasters.
The LADWP has not yet responded to the latest lawsuit outside of business hours. However, the case could have significant legal and financial implications for the city, especially if the plaintiffs can prove negligence in handling both electricity infrastructure and water management.
