Officials in Los Angeles County have addressed concerns about fire hydrants running dry during the recent wildfires, stating that the water supply has since improved. The incident commander for the Palisades Fire, Jim Hudson, confirmed that there were no reports of water issues overnight and that water pressure has been stable. Measures have been implemented to mitigate the challenges faced earlier, and the water system is now starting to stabilize.
It was noted that three million-gallon storage tanks in the Palisades area had been filled before the fires erupted to service the fire hydrants. However, this supply was insufficient to meet the extreme demand during the firefighting efforts. Approximately 20% of the hydrants used to combat the Palisades Fire were reported to have gone dry on Wednesday, as acknowledged by city Department of Water and Power CEO Janisse Quiñones.
To address the water supply issue, mobile water tankers have been deployed to supplement the existing resources. Mike Lopez, an executive board member of California Professional Firefighters, highlighted the strain on the water system caused by the extensive use of millions of gallons of water during firefighting operations.
The challenges faced with the water supply during the wildfires underscore the importance of proactive measures and effective resource management in emergency situations. The collaborative efforts of officials and firefighting personnel have been instrumental in addressing the issue and ensuring that adequate water resources are available to combat the wildfires effectively.
