The Los Angeles public water system faced unprecedented demand during recent wildfires, leading to dry hydrants and hindering firefighting efforts. Water officials attributed the strain to a municipal system not designed for such large-scale fires, highlighting the challenges of providing water for both urban needs and wildfire suppression. The incident sparked criticism of Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom's water management policies, especially regarding the balance between agricultural, urban, and environmental needs.
out of control in Los Angeles, the public water system faced four times its usual demand, causing some hydrants to run dry and hindering the fight against the flames, local water officials said Wednesday.
“We’re fighting a wildfire with urban water systems, and that is really challenging,” said Janisse Quiñones, CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. “Those fights have been going on for a long time and they have not affected in any way the water supply for firefighting in southern California,” Gleick said.
LADWP is sending in mobile water tankers to help fight the fires, which can be refilled at hydrants that haven’t lost pressure, Quiñones said. It takes about 30 minutes to refill about 4,000 gallons of water.
Wildfires Water Management Drought California Climate Change
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