The Hills Stars Sue Los Angeles Over Palisades Fire Damage
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, along with over 20 other Pacific Palisades property owners, have filed a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles and its Department of Water and Power (DWP) for damages caused by the devastating Palisades fire.
The complaint, reviewed by Variety, alleges that the city's water supply system failed to perform adequately during the fire due to its insufficient design for combating severe wildfires.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for property damage under the legal principle of "inverse condemnation." They must demonstrate that the city's operation of the water system directly resulted in damage to their properties.
Reports emerged that the local Santa Ynez Reservoir, a crucial water source, was depleted and offline prior to the fire. This has sparked public and political scrutiny, with Governor Gavin Newsom ordering an investigation into the water pressure loss in fire hydrants.
The lawsuit is part of a growing trend of inverse condemnation cases stemming from wildfires in the Los Angeles area, which experts estimate may become the costliest in U.S. history. Similar lawsuits have been filed by victims of the Eaton fire, which occurred shortly after the Palisades fire.
Pratt and Montag, known for their appearances on "The Hills," have been vocal about the impact of the fires. Pratt has urged the public to support Montag's music and has hinted at a potential reality TV series chronicling the community's rebuilding efforts.