Pratt Claims LADWP CEO Drained Two Reservoirs Before Historic Fire Season
"Janice Quiñones, who is the CEO of LADWP, who drained two reservoirs leading into a known year of the driest fire weather season, took out the water with no plan, no backups, no tankers. She was getting paid $750,000 a year plus her benefits."
About this episode
In this episode of the All In Podcast, host Jason Calacanis interviews Spencer Pratt, the reality TV personality now running for mayor of Los Angeles. The interview comes days after Pratt's widely praised debate performance against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and fellow challenger Councilwoman Nithya Raman. Pratt, whose Pacific Palisades home burned down in the January 2025 fires along with his parents' house, has transformed personal tragedy into a populist political campaign centered on accountability, corruption, and basic governance. He reveals explosive allegations including that LADWP CEO Janice Quiñones drained two fire reservoirs before the known dry season, that Mayor Bass never called for fixed-wing air support during the fire because she was in Africa while her deputy mayor was on house arrest, and that LAFD whistleblowers told him firefighters were ordered to abandon a smoldering fire on January 1st that later became the Palisades inferno. Pratt accuses the city's NGO network of systematically stealing taxpayer money, claiming the $100 million FireAid concert resulted in almost no direct aid to victims. He details his enforcement-first strategy to clear encampments, restore public safety, audit every city department and NGO, and rebuild LA as "the number one city in the world." Pratt describes assembling a team of billionaires, CEOs, and specialists willing to work for minimal pay, including Peter Chernin advising on Hollywood revitalization and an anonymous billionaire pledging $500 million to make LA fun again. The conversation covers his plans for transportation, housing, small business deregulation, fire prevention using private pool water, and his belief that enforcing existing laws will solve 90% of LA's problems. Pratt positions himself as a non-politician fighting evil, citing Cincinnatus as his model, and warns that if Bass or Raman win, the city is finished.
Key takeaways
- Pratt alleges LADWP CEO Janice Quiñones drained two fire reservoirs before the dry season with no backup plan, contributing to the Palisades fire catastrophe.
- Mayor Karen Bass never called for fixed-wing air support during the fire because she was in Africa and her deputy mayor was on house arrest.
- LAFD whistleblowers told Pratt firefighters were ordered to abandon a smoldering fire on January 1st that later became the Palisades blaze.
- Pratt claims the $100 million FireAid concert resulted in almost no direct payments to fire victims, with money disappearing into over 200 NGOs.
- His enforcement plan includes three weeks of warnings citywide before mass arrests for public drug use, nudity, and theft to clear encampments.
- Pratt says billionaires and major CEOs including Peter Chernin have volunteered to help rebuild LA, with one pledging $500 million anonymously.
- He accuses city officials of shredding documents and promises day-one IRS criminal investigation audits of all NGOs and departments.
- Pratt is suing the city, state, and LADWP for negligence, and judges have allowed the case to proceed to discovery over government appeals.