US EditionMalibu sues state, LA city, county over Palisades fire
Malibu alleges negligence in state land maintenance and Los Angeles policies that increased wildfire risks, causing destruction of 700 homes and dozens of businesses, lawsuit claims.
- On Wednesday, the City of Malibu filed a civil complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court against the California Department of Parks and Recreation and Los Angeles-area public agencies, alleging failures that led to the Palisades Fire.
- The complaint says the Lachman Fire smoldered about a week before Jan. 7, 2025, and Malibu contends the state negligently maintained dangerous conditions on state-owned land before the Palisades Fire erupted driven by Santa Ana winds.
- Officials report the blaze consumed 23,448 acres, destroyed about 6,800 structures and killed 12 people, half of whom were Malibu residents.
- Malibu city officials said they hope to recoup unspecified damages, including emergency response and infrastructure repair, while Bruce Silverstein, Malibu Mayor, said the decision reflects long-term fiscal impacts.
- The suit alleges specific policy choices, listing City of Los Angeles and DWP's empty reservoirs and neglected infrastructure, making the fire foreseeable.
16 Articles
16 Articles
City of Malibu files suit against L.A. and Calif. over ‘Systemic Failures’ during 2025 Palisades fire
Malibu has initiated legal action against the City of Los Angeles and the State of California, alleging that the Palisades Fire was the direct result of systemic negligence. The lawsuit contends that a critical failure to implement robust fire prevention measures, compounded by a series of operational lapses, allowed the blaze to escalate into a historic disaster.
Malibu, 'emotionally and physically scarred,' is suing California, L.A., others over Palisades fire
Malibu is suing the state, the city of Los Angeles, L.A. County and additional public parties and agencies, seeking damages for financial losses sustained in the Palisades fire.
Pasadena Star News
Malibu sues state, LA city, county over Palisades fire
LOS ANGELES — The city of Malibu sued the state and the city and county of Los Angeles and other entities on Wednesday, accusing them of various failures that led to the start and proliferation of the Palisades fire that destroyed hundreds of Malibu homes along with municipal facilities and infrastructure. “This decision was not made lightly,” Malibu Mayor Bruce Silverstein said in a written statement announcing the lawsuit. “The city has an obl…
Malibu sues California, city and county of LA over Palisades Fire
LOS ANGELES (KESQ) - The city of Malibu today sued the state, the city and county of Los Angeles and other entities today, accusing them of various failures that led to the start and proliferation of the Palisades Fire that destroyed hundreds of Malibu homes along with municipal facilities and infrastructure. "This decision was not
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