Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag have joined the list of Pacific Palisades homeowners suing Los Angeles for damage caused by the city’s wildfires. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, accuses the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power of neglecting to maintain a sufficient water supply system to combat the fires. Specifically, they point to delays in repairing the Santa Ynez Reservoir, which was empty for almost a year, contributing to the destruction of over 6,500 structures in the Palisades Fire.
To help cover the financial impact of the wildfires, Pratt has encouraged his followers to stream Montag’s 2010 album, Superficial, which recently topped iTunes charts. The couple, along with 20 other property owners, blame LADWP for emptying the reservoir before the fire erupted, allegedly for contractor bids instead of using internal resources for repairs.
The complaint states that the public benefit of outsourcing the repairs was overshadowed by the risks posed to Pacific Palisades by wildfires. With the reservoir offline, hydrants in the area failed due to water shortages, hindering firefighting efforts. Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an investigation into the water supply issues that impeded the fire response.
Amid criticisms of the city’s wildfire preparation, Gus Corona, from the employee union for LADWP, criticized the delay in essential repairs to the water supply system. Mark Pestrella, director of Los Angeles County Public Works, noted that the hydrant system was not designed for firefighting.
The lawsuit claims that the Palisades Fire was a consequence of the inadequate water supply system in place. It alleges inverse condemnation, allowing property owners to seek compensation for damages caused by public use. As wildfires continue in L.A., property owners have also sued Southern California Edison for fire risks from its power lines. LADWP, facing similar lawsuits, has not yet responded to requests for comments.
