Residents in fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades faced a critical situation as hydrants went dry early Wednesday, hampering firefighting efforts. Despite ample water in Southern California reservoirs, logistical challenges hindered the flow of water to the affected area.
Located at the end of the municipal water system line, Pacific Palisades experiences lower water flow due to the decreasing pipe size away from the main line. To supplement water supply, three massive tanks with a capacity of 1 million gallons each were installed to maintain hydrant pressure.
However, the high demand for water to combat the fires led to sporadic depletion of these tanks, causing a drop in water pressure in hydrants. By 3 a.m. local time Wednesday, the hydrants ran dry, exacerbating the situation.
Janisse Quiñones, CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, explained that the rapid water consumption exceeded the system's capacity to replenish the tanks promptly, despite collaborative efforts with the fire department.
While state reservoirs remain adequately filled, the unique challenge in Pacific Palisades stems from the intense firefighting requirements. Michelle Figueroa, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles water department, emphasized that other areas did not face similar water supply issues.
Recognizing the need for system upgrades to address climate change impacts, Quiñones highlighted ongoing discussions with county officials to enhance water system resilience against future wildfires.
As the situation unfolds, Los Angeles officials urge residents to conserve water to alleviate pressure on the strained water supply system.
