Capt. Kevin Easton and his firefighting team faced significant challenges while combating a large fire in Los Angeles's Pacific Palisades area, which has resulted in extensive property damage. As the fire raged on, the water supply from hydrants became critically low, ultimately running dry.
Captain Easton reported that the hydrants were completely depleted, and even hours later, there was still no water available. The fire has destroyed over 5,000 structures, including homes in the nearby Highlands neighborhood.
Officials indicated that the water storage tanks and pumping systems designed for high-elevation areas like the Highlands could not meet the demand created by the rapidly spreading fire. This inadequacy was attributed to a failure to anticipate the speed at which multiple fires would occur in the region.
Marty Adams, a former general manager at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, noted that municipal water systems are typically designed to support multiple hydrants being used simultaneously. However, these systems can falter during wildfires, especially in areas with dry brush.
As urban development encroaches on wilderness areas and climate change exacerbates fire conditions, cities across the country are increasingly experiencing water shortages for firefighting. Recent examples include Talent, Oregon; Gatlinburg, Tennessee; and Ventura County, California.
The situation worsened due to high winds in Los Angeles, which impeded aerial firefighting efforts. In previous incidents, such as in Louisville, Colorado, and Maui, Hawaii, firefighters have encountered similar water supply issues during wildfires.
In Los Angeles, the water supply system was designed to handle large fires but struggled with the unprecedented scale of the current blaze. Water is collected in a reservoir and pumped into three high-elevation storage tanks, but the system was not equipped for a fire that could consume hundreds of homes.
Despite the storage tanks being full before the fire, they were quickly depleted as the blaze spread. By Thursday evening, firefighters had ceased using hydrants altogether due to the lack of water.
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin M. Crowley stated that the primary firefighting resources had shifted to aerial support, which was unavailable during the initial fire phases due to weather conditions.
Fire crews throughout Los Angeles County faced overwhelming challenges from multiple fires, with officials noting that wind conditions significantly contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
Rick Caruso, a local real estate developer, reported that his private firefighting team encountered water shortages while attempting to protect properties in the area. He emphasized the need for accountability regarding the water supply issues.
Traci Park, a city council member, highlighted the underfunding of the city’s water infrastructure, which has not kept pace with urban growth. She pointed out that many water mains are over a century old and require urgent upgrades.
Greg Pierce, a researcher at UCLA, echoed concerns about the inadequacy of water systems designed for urban fires rather than wildfires. He noted that redesigning these systems would be costly and raised questions about the wisdom of rebuilding in areas adjacent to wildlands.
Captain Easton also mentioned logistical challenges, such as delays in receiving additional support crews and the need for firefighters to retrieve water from stationary trucks, which hindered their response efforts.