Los Angels regional Fires , including the Palisades fire .
Winds had been forecast to be extremely high and it came true with sustained winds of 50 miles a hour and Bursts of much faster speeds . The following was a anthropic article I had written , I had to remove three mentions of climate change to make it better .. please enjoy .
Why Fire Hydrants Ran Dry During the Palisades Fire
In the recent devastating Palisades wildfire, as well as other major wildfires, a troubling problem emerged – fire hydrants running dry and leaving firefighters without a reliable water source. This issue raises serious concerns about the resilience of local infrastructure in the face of growing wildfire threats.
The primary reason fire hydrants can run dry during major wildfires is simply that the water demand exceeds the capacity of the local water system. Wildfires require massive amounts of water to combat, with firefighters using thousands of gallons per minute. This heavy draw on the water supply can quickly deplete reservoirs and pressure in the pipes, leading to hydrants sputtering and running dry.
Additionally, many water systems are not designed to withstand the extreme stresses of simultaneous, large-scale firefighting efforts. The pipes, pumps, and other infrastructure components may not have the redundancy or capacity to handle such an extraordinary water usage spike. Older or poorly maintained water systems are especially vulnerable.
Another issue is that many fire hydrants are located in remote, high-risk wildland-urban interface areas. These hydrants may be farther from the main water distribution system, making them more prone to pressure drops and shortages.
The consequences of dry fire hydrants can be disastrous. Firefighters are left without a reliable water supply, hampering their ability to effectively battle the blaze. This can lead to the fire spreading rapidly and causing even greater destruction.
To address this problem, experts recommend a multi-pronged approach:
- Upgrading and reinforcing water infrastructure, including installing more robust and redundant systems able to withstand extreme demands.
- Improving coordination between water utilities and fire departments to ensure adequate water supplies during emergencies.
- Exploring alternative water sources, such as mobile water tenders or accessing nearby lakes/rivers, to supplement hydrant supplies.
- Implementing better early-warning systems and fire prevention measures to reduce the frequency and intensity of wildfires.
Addressing the root causes of hydrant failures must be a top priority for policymakers and emergency planners. Residents can also help by supporting infrastructure investments and following local fire department guidance.
You can follow your local fire departments on Twitter for the latest updates and safety information:
Los Angeles Fire Department: @LAFD
Palisades Fire Department: @PalisadesFD
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection: @CAL_FIRE
This article was generated by Ai , using he question, why did the hydrants go dry? We know why now . The main reservoir was empty due to a EPA upgrade .