Malibu Sues California, LA Over Palisades Fire Failures

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The City of Malibu has filed a lawsuit against the state of California and the City of Los Angeles, seeking tens of millions in damages for the failures that led to the 2025 Palisades Fire. The fire destroyed one-third of the oceanside community, leaving behind a 'hollowed out' city with burned buildings, a shrinking tax base, and environmental damage.

Why it matters

The Palisades Fire was a devastating event for the City of Malibu, causing widespread destruction and long-lasting impacts on the community. This lawsuit represents Malibu's effort to hold the state and city authorities accountable for the conditions that enabled the fire to occur and cause such extensive damage.

The details

According to the lawsuit, California and Los Angeles are responsible for creating the conditions that led to the Palisades Fire, which the city says they must pay for in the form of at least tens of millions of dollars in damages. The fire wiped out one-third of Malibu, leaving behind a community that is still reeling from the destruction more than a year later.

• The Palisades Fire occurred in 2025.
• The lawsuit was filed on February 19, 2026, more than a year after the fire.