Pacific Palisades fire: 'Absolute mismanagement' - Rick Caruso

Rick Caruso, a billionaire developer who lost the mayoral race to Karen Bass in 2022, criticized the city's handling of the Pacific Palisades fire, stating that the destruction of multi-million-dollar real estate due to stifled water supply is evidence of "absolute mismanagement."

"The city's mismanagement is causing a lack of water in the Palisades and fire hydrants, according to Caruso. The former mayoral candidate stated that the city's mayor is out of the country and the city is burning with no resources to put out fires. Caruso added that the situation resembles a third-world country."

Bass is heading back to California, while the mayor is reportedly on a pre-planned trip to Africa.

The mayor, city council, and county representatives were questioned by Caruso about their brush mitigation program and why they did not take steps to reduce the severity of the current situation.

The issue is not insufficient rainfall, but rather the brush has been neglected for possibly many years.

"All these people and their homes are paying the price," Caruso added.

By 3 a.m. Wednesday, the Palisades' fire hydrants were dry, according to Janisse Quiñones, the chief executive and chief engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP).

"The system in the Palisades experienced an unprecedented demand, causing it to be pushed to its limits. The Los Angeles Times reported that the system saw four times the normal demand for 15 hours straight, resulting in a decrease in water pressure."

As businesses and homes burn, Caruso, a former DWP commissioner and the owner of the Palisades Village mall in the Westside neighborhood, asserted that firefighters are present but "nothing they can do" without water supply.

Caruso stated that this issue is a reflection of a larger systemic problem within the city, encompassing not only inefficient management but also aging infrastructure.

On Wednesday morning, Caruso evacuated his home in Brentwood and learned that his daughter's home had already been destroyed by the fire. His family was still waiting for news on the condition of one of his son's homes.

The mall and several homes near his shopping center were damaged by flames, according to him.

"Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park expressed her concern about the chronic under-investment in the city's public infrastructure and public safety partners during a press conference on Wednesday. She stated that the lack of investment was evident and on full display over the past 24 hours. Park is already working with her team to investigate the issue further and believes they have more questions than answers at this time."