Malibu Sues LA City and State Over Palisades Fire

The coastal community alleges government failures led to the devastating 2025 wildfire.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The city of Malibu has filed a lawsuit against the state of California and the city of Los Angeles, claiming their failures caused the deadly 2025 Palisades Fire to explode and devastate the coastal community. The lawsuit alleges the state's Department of Parks and Recreation allowed embers from a smaller prior fire to smolder, and that policy decisions by the city and Department of Water and Power led to an insufficient emergency response.

Why it matters

This lawsuit is part of a growing number of legal actions against state and local governments in response to the Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed nearly 7,000 structures. It highlights the ongoing tensions between Malibu and regional authorities over disaster preparedness and response.

The details

The lawsuit claims the Department of Parks and Recreation failed to properly check on the smoldering embers of the Lachman Fire, a smaller blaze that started a week before the Palisades Fire near Skull Rock. It also alleges a number of policy decisions by the city of Los Angeles and the Department of Water and Power, such as empty reservoirs and failing fire department infrastructure, led to an inadequate emergency response when the Palisades Fire first broke out.

  • The Palisades Fire was reported on January 7, 2026.
  • The Lachman Fire started a week prior to the Palisades Fire.

The players

Malibu

The coastal city that filed the lawsuit against the state and city governments.

California Department of Parks and Recreation

A state agency that allegedly allowed embers from a prior fire to smolder, contributing to the Palisades Fire.

City of Los Angeles

A defendant in the lawsuit, accused of policy decisions that led to an insufficient emergency response.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

Cited in the lawsuit for policy decisions that allegedly contributed to the inadequate response to the Palisades Fire.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This decision was not made lightly. The city has an obligation to act in the best interests of our residents and taxpayers. The lawsuit seeks accountability for the extraordinary losses suffered by our community while recognizing that Malibu must continue to work collaboratively with our regional partners going forward.”

— Bruce Silverstein, Mayor of Malibu (nbclosangeles.com)

What’s next

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages as Malibu officials aim to recover costs associated with the emergency response, infrastructure repair, environmental restoration, and lost revenues from the Palisades Fire.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions between Malibu and regional authorities over disaster preparedness and response, as the coastal community seeks accountability for the devastating losses suffered during the Palisades Fire.