Malibu Sues State, LA Over Palisades Fire for Millions

Coastal city alleges government failures led to devastating blaze that destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The City of Malibu has filed a civil lawsuit against the State of California, the City of Los Angeles, and several other government entities, alleging a cascade of failures by public agencies allowed the Palisades Fire to ignite and spread, devastating the coastal community and leaving taxpayers to absorb tens of millions of dollars in losses.

Why it matters

The lawsuit highlights the growing tensions between local governments and state/regional authorities over disaster response and infrastructure maintenance, as well as the high costs communities face in recovering from catastrophic wildfires.

The details

The complaint alleges that state park officials failed to properly monitor and extinguish a smaller brush fire just days before the Palisades Fire, allowing embers to smolder and reignite. It also accuses the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power of neglecting water infrastructure and electrical systems, leaving firefighters without adequate water pressure and power shutoffs. The lawsuit seeks to recover tens of millions in damages from the government entities.

  • The Lachman Fire ignited on January 1, 2025 in Topanga State Park.
  • The Palisades Fire broke out on January 7, 2026, with its origin point on state-owned land.
  • The lawsuit was filed by the City of Malibu on February 17, 2026.

The players

City of Malibu

The coastal city that filed the lawsuit seeking tens of millions in damages from the state and local governments over the Palisades Fire.

California Department of Parks and Recreation

The state agency accused of failing to properly monitor and extinguish the Lachman Fire, allowing it to reignite and cause the larger Palisades Fire.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)

The city utility accused of neglecting water infrastructure and electrical systems, leaving firefighters without adequate water pressure and power shutoffs during the Palisades Fire.

Bruce Silverstein

The mayor of Malibu who stated the decision to sue was not made lightly but reflected the city's obligation to protect its residents and taxpayers.

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What they’re saying

“The decision to sue was not made lightly but reflected the city's obligation to protect its residents and taxpayers.”

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

What’s next

No trial date has been set for the lawsuit filed by the City of Malibu.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between local governments and state/regional authorities over disaster response and infrastructure maintenance, as well as the high costs communities face in recovering from catastrophic wildfires that can be exacerbated by government failures.