A critical problem is emerging as wildfires sweep through Los Angeles: many fire hydrants have run dry, and low water pressure is impeding firefighting efforts. Reports from the LA Times say that the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and other utilities are facing an unprecedented demand as firefighters draw tremendous quantities of water over long periods.
Martin Adams, the former general manager of DWP, pointed out that the water infrastructure in the city was not designed for such an extended firefighting need. “The system has never been designed to fight a wildfire that then envelops a community,” he said.
In communities like Pacific Palisades, most hydrants had insufficient water and the same was the case in Altadena and Pasadena. Pacific Palisades is fed by the gravity-fed storage tanks that sit on higher ground and each of them can store about one million gallons.
Aggressive firefighting obviously depleted those tanks rather quickly, especially in communities like Palisades Highlands, which led to dry hydrants. According to one DWP official, the demand for water reached four times the normal amount for 15 consecutive hours.
Adding to the crisis, a nearby DWP reservoir was offline for maintenance, further limiting water availability. While tanker trucks were dispatched to critical areas, logistical challenges hindered timely deliveries. The varied topography of Los Angeles complicates water distribution. The city spans elevations from sea level to over 1,500 feet, with water systems divided into pressure zones that can restrict flow during emergencies.
The situation has been responded to by Governor Gavin Newsom, who ordered an investigation into the failures of the water supply, describing the reports as “deeply troubling.” City leaders have also faced criticism for budget cuts to fire department resources, which some claim have compromised the city’s large-scale emergency response capability.
