New Delhi:

As crews battled the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, a major challenge emerged: Fire hydrants ran dry in some areas, and low water pressure hampered firefighting efforts.

According to one The LA Times reportsThe Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) and other local water utilities experienced extraordinary stress as firefighters attempted to pump out large amounts of water over an extended period of time. Former DWP general manager Martin Adams told the LA Times that the city’s water system was never designed to support firefighting efforts of this scale. “This system has never been designed to fight a wildfire that then engulfs a community,” Adams said.

In Pacific Palisades, a particularly hard-hit area, several hydrants reportedly failed or provided insufficient water. Similar problems arose in Altadena and Pasadena, where firefighters reported low water pressure.

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In Pacific Palisades, the local water system relies on gravity-fed storage tanks located in the highlands. These tanks — each designed to hold about one million gallons — supply water to the hydrants below. However, intense firefighting efforts quickly dried up the tanks, leading to dry hydrants in high-elevation neighborhoods such as Palisades Highlands. According to a DWP official, water demand increased four times the normal rate for 15 consecutive hours, overwhelming the system.

Compounding the problem, a nearby DWP reservoir was out of service for maintenance. Officials are now investigating how this could lead to more limited water availability. While tanker trucks were dispatched to deliver water to critical areas, logistical challenges of transporting water delayed efforts to effectively address the shortage.

Topography plays a role in water distribution challenges. Los Angeles stretches over 1,500 feet above sea level in the Pacific Palisades. In such areas the water system is divided into pressure zones, usually 100 feet in elevation. These zones can restrict water flow when demand increases during emergencies.

In Altadena and Pasadena, water distribution faced additional complications. The Eaton Fire, which caused widespread damage in these areas, exposed the challenges facing local water suppliers. These suppliers struggled to maintain adequate pressure due to power outages that affected their pumps. Power was cut in some areas to protect firefighters from downed power lines and wires. It was a catch-22 situation.

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The Palisades Fire alone destroyed more than 5,000 structures, while the Eaton Fire damaged or destroyed another 4,000 to 5,000. The ongoing damage and the infrastructure available to deal with it is simply not matched.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an independent investigation into the water supply failures, calling the reports “deeply troubling.” The inquiry will examine the preparedness and response of agencies such as the DWP and local utilities. Additionally, Los Angeles city leaders, including Mayor Karen Bass, have faced criticism for budget cuts to the fire department’s resources, which some say are needed to respond to large-scale emergencies. has weakened the capacity of the city.

Experts have suggested various strategies to tackle these challenges. Measures recommended include increasing water storage capacity in high-risk areas, upgrading pipelines to handle high demand, and investing in backup power systems for pumps. However, these solutions come with financial and logistical constraints.

Historically, firefighters have turned to unconventional water sources, such as swimming pools or seawater, when hydrants have failed.