With the wildfires that erupted in Los Angeles on Tuesday amid powerful winds and dry conditions, at least 11 people have been killed so far and thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed.
Why was the Pacific Palisades reservoir offline?
The Santa Ynez Reservoir in the Pacific Palisades was shut for maintenance and repair since February 2024, according to LA Times. This left the 117-million-gallon water storage facility empty when the wildfires broke out.
The revelation comes as firefighters said emergency response was hindered due to water shortage in the fire hydrants, a claim that Governor Newsom acknowledged on Friday. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power claimed that if the reservoir in Pacific Palisades was operational, the water supply could have been increased for firefighing.
Los Angeles Fire: A Community on Edge
— Kusumo Arief Atmojo (@ariefatmojo_) January 11, 2025
The recent fire in Los Angeles, California, has shaken everyone. With strong winds and a relentless heatwave, the blaze spread rapidly, forcing evacuations. Fire crews are battling tirelessly, but this inferno is a fiery reminder of climate… pic.twitter.com/EoBvLuNbsP
Several Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, have blamed the Democrats ruling California over lack of preparation for such a severe calamity. Trump slammed California Governor Gavin Newsom for LA's struggling water supply while LA mayor Karen Bass was criticised for reducing the city's fire department budget.
This is by far the craziest video from the fire in Los Angeles. This guy is filming huge walls of fire surrounding a house they're in, and there's another person and a dog. I have no idea why they didn't evacuate or what happened to them. Let's hope they're okay. #PalisadesFire pic.twitter.com/QYtsBSKvdl
— Sia Kordestani (@SiaKordestani) January 8, 2025
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has an overall budget of around $820 million. Mayor Bass reportedly reduced the budget by $17.6 million.
Several fire hydrants located in high-altitude parts of the Palisades went dry on Wednesday, leaving firefighters struggling with water pressure.
#WATCH | Palisades Fire continues to burn over Los Angeles as firefighters work to contain flames#CaliforniaWildfires #PalisadesFire #LosAngelesFires #LosAngeles pic.twitter.com/Zd73Fg3CfE
— DD News (@DDNewslive) January 11, 2025
Gavin Newsom has ordered a probe by the LA Department of Water and Power (DWP) to investigate the loss of water pressure.
System not designed to handle wildfires
On the other hand, the DWP said its primary job is to supply water throughout Los Angeles city, pointing out that its system was not "designed for a wildlife scenario".
1/ Let’s talk about collapse. Fires rage in Los Angeles, and no one can put them out—a clear symbol of a civilization unable to solve even its most basic problems. Joseph A. Tainter's "The Collapse of Complex Societies" provides a framework to understand why this happens. pic.twitter.com/4mHUwPpLSE
— Chad Crowley (@CCrowley100) January 9, 2025
The DWP said the repair was necessitated due to a ripped cover, adding that if the reservoir carried water, it would have been undrinkable legally.
The Santa Ynez Reservoir in the Pacific Palisades is expected to be reopened next month.
