Water hydrant “issues” hampered the efforts to halt devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, a firefighter has told Daily Express US.
Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) official Lyndsey Lantz revealed problems faced by crews as the flames took hold of Palisades on Tuesday morning – a community where houses have an average value of $4 million.
“Yeah, so we did have some water issues, especially on that first day,” Lantz explained. “The thing to understand about, the water systems, especially in these communities high in the hills, the higher you go, the more gravity is affecting the water system.
“The reality is so much was on fire and so much draw was being taken off those tanks that it was impossible for a little while to fill them as fast as they were being emptied.”
A Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) official has confirmed a water supply challenge during the ongoing Pacific Palisades fire.
Fire officials noted that hillside communities rely on gravity-fed water systems, with large tanks designed to supply fire hydrants.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power had filled these tanks ahead of the red-flag wind, but the scale of the fire reportedly overwhelmed the system.
“You’re typically expecting a house or two to be on fire, not entire neighborhoods,” Lantz said.
“It was a lot of draw, and we did have some water issues.”
While specific numbers of non-functioning hydrants remain unconfirmed, Lantz cited “a lack of pressure” as a main issue.
As of this morning, officials reported 11 percent containment of the fire, which has already devastated several neighborhoods.
More than 2,500 firefighters from across California and neighboring states are deployed, with teams rotating on two-week assignments.
“This is what we call a deployment,” said Lantz.
“We have firefighters from all over the state, our neighboring cities and counties, and even other states in the U.S. that have come down to help.”
Lantz also explained how unprecedented wind conditions contributed to the fire’s rapid spread.
“The amount of fire and how fast it moved through here is really something else.”
Initial gusts of 50-60 mph, with peaks up to 80 mph, carried embers up to three miles, igniting additional blazes.
“Within that amount of space, yes, one fire could start another fire,” she explained.