Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt are suing LA for wildfire damages, alleging LADWP’s empty reservoir caused hydrant failures in the Pacific Palisades Fire.
- The lawsuit says that the LADWP’s carelessness led to the destruction of the Pacific Palisades Fire.
- The Santa Ynez Reservoir loss was named a major failure in the system.
What caused the lawsuit against the LA government?
Spencer Pratt, Heidi Montag, and family members sued Los Angeles and the LADWP, saying that poor water management made the Pacific Palisades Fire worse, which destroyed their houses.
The lawsuit says that hydrants failed during the fire because there wasn’t enough water flow because the tank had been drained.
Why was the Santa Ynez Reservoir so important?
The case points out the Santa Ynez Reservoir as a major failure. It hasn’t been used since February 2024 because of a torn floating cover.
Because fixes were behind schedule, three million gallons of water were not available. Within hours, the fire spread and the hydrants were dry. What did people
Who didn’t like LADWP say about the crisis?
IBEW Local 18’s Gus Corona said it was “unacceptable” that the LADWP hired outside help to do fixes instead of using their own staff.
It is said that the department put saving money ahead of fixing urgent infrastructure problems in an area that is prone to fires.
How did the design of the water system make the fire worse?
The lawsuit says that Los Angeles’s water system wasn’t designed to fight flames, citing a statement by County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella.
Plaintiffs say the city knew it had a bad system even though they knew there were fire risks and kept it up.
What kinds of legal claims are the plaintiffs making?
The plaintiffs are suing for damages through inverse condemnation, saying that the city’s acts directly caused them to lose property, feel bad, and have trouble paying their bills.
The demands include the cost of repairs, missed pay, and legal fees. A jury hearing is also being asked for.
How Are Pratt and Montag’s Money Situations?
Spencer said they relied on income from social media after the fire and that they’d “be buying a new house” if they had enough money.
The couple keeps making content every day, which has been their main source of income for years.
