Photo: AGUSTIN PAULLIER / AFP / Getty Images
A lawsuit initially filed against the city of Los Angeles for the deadly Palisades Fire has been amended to include the State of California. The legal action, representing over 3,000 victims, claims that "utter incompetence" by government entities led to the fire's spread. According to attorney Roger Behle, the fire "rekindled" from a smaller blaze, known as the Lachman Fire, that occurred on January 1, 2025, in the same area where the Palisades Fire ignited six days later.
The lawsuit argues that the state failed to monitor and prevent the fire from escaping state land. Behle stated, "It was a bomb ready to go off. All it took was some wind and dry conditions and nobody there to monitor it." The complaint also targets the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) for failing to provide adequate water supply due to an empty Santa Ynez Reservoir and for allegedly altering records related to the fire.
Residents, including Jessica Rogers, expressed frustration over the lack of accountability and progress in rebuilding efforts. "The neglect from our city, county, and state [is the most challenging part]," Rogers said. "I want change, and I want our community to be able to rebuild."
The LADWP has denied the allegations, stating that there is no evidence their equipment played a role in the fire's ignition. They emphasized their cooperation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) in investigating the fire's origin.