The water and power utility that serves the city of Los Angeles must face hundreds of lawsuits faulting its response to the massive 2025 wildfire that leveled one of the city’s premier seaside neighborhoods and caused tens of billions of dollars in damage.

In a significant victory for fire victims, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Samantha Jessner on Thursday concluded that a unique California law allows property and business owners to pursue claims that the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power failed to supply enough water to fight the blaze that consumed the Pacific Palisades area.

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Over strong objections from lawyers for the nation’s largest public utility, Jessner finalized a tentative ruling she issued last week finding the victims have a legal basis to move forward with allegations that a city reservoir drained for repairs left fire hydrants with inadequate water pressure and helped the wind-whipped blaze get out of control.

The case is Grigsby v. City of Los Angeles, 25STCV00832, California Superior Court, Los Angeles County).

Top photo: 2025 Pacific Palisades Fire. Source: CalFire.