LA Utility Unlikely to Dodge Legal Exposure for Massive Wildfire

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power got a tentative rejection from a judge on its request to throw out lawsuits by victims of last January’s massive Palisades Fire seeking billions of dollars in damages.

The nation’s largest public utility is facing claims by thousands of residents in one of the wealthiest parts of Los Angeles over the fire, which burned more than 23,000 acres, destroyed almost 7,000 structures and killed 12 people.

At a hearing Tuesday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Samantha Jessner heard arguments from lawyers and said she will issue a final ruling next week. Unless ...