Residents of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles were met with a concerning situation in the early hours of Wednesday when all fire hydrants temporarily ran dry. This incident was confirmed by Janisse Quiñones, the chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
The root cause of this issue was identified as a lack of water in three significant holding tanks, leading to a drop in water pressure throughout the area. Quiñones, along with other officials, highlighted the challenges faced by the municipal water system due to the absence of air drops of water and fire suppressant.
As a result, firefighting crews have been forced to rely on the city's water systems to combat potential wildfires. To address the immediate water shortage, additional water tanks are being dispatched, and efforts are underway to refill the depleted tanks to bolster the water supply.
Quiñones emphasized the struggle to replenish the tanks at a pace that matched the high water consumption rate during the crisis. The demand for water outpaced the department's ability to provide a continuous supply, leading to the temporary dry spell experienced by residents.
Given the critical situation, Los Angeles officials are calling upon city residents to practice water conservation measures to alleviate the strain on the water system. By reducing water usage, residents can contribute to maintaining a more stable water supply for essential services and firefighting efforts.
