February 10, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

LADWP Refutes Fire Hydrant Misinformation During Palisades Fire’s Unprecedented Demand for Water

Utility Addresses Online Claims, Confirms Water Systems Remained Operational

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)  is seeking to address misinformation being spread online and on social media apps, like Twitter and Facebook. In a press release, the department has refuted several claims surrounding the effectiveness of fire hydrants and water systems during the recent fires.

“Our hearts are with all of our customers whose lives have been devastated by these wildfires,” said LADWP in a statement. “We are here to support them and the firefighting efforts.”

The fire, described as an unprecedented hurricane wind-driven wildfire in an urban area, did overwhelm LADWP crews and systems. Although the department was prepared for such events, the intensity and scale of the fire posed challenges, especially as firefighting continued.

The LADWP emphasized that all fire hydrants in the area were inspected and fully operational before the fire. LADWP works closely with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), which is responsible for inspecting hydrants citywide. The department updated its repair list regularly and made sure that any necessary repairs were completed promptly.

LADWP further clarified that no power was lost to its pump stations during the fire, and water supply to the region remained robust. However, due to the extreme water demand to fight the fire, water pressure in the system was impacted, particularly in higher elevations of the Pacific Palisades. This led to a temporary loss of water in three tanks serving the area.

To mitigate the effects of low water pressure, LADWP deployed potable water tankers to support firefighting efforts. 

Much has been made of one nearby reservoir being offline, but LADWP noted that it temporarily took the Santa Ynez Reservoir out of service to meet safe drinking water regulations. Due to city charter requirements, repairs to Santa Ynez are subject to a competitive bidding process, which takes time.

Despite these challenges, LADWP emphasized that the water system serving the Pacific Palisades area, as well as all of Los Angeles, complies with federal and state fire codes for urban development. According to the LADWP has built the system beyond these requirements to meet the community’s typical needs.

As climate change continues to present new challenges, LADWP stated that it is investigating ways to strengthen its water system’s resilience in the face of future wildfires and extreme weather events. The department is calling for a review and potential update of city codes related to water systems used for wildfire suppression.

in NEWS
Related Posts

Student Protest Over Immigration Policies Leads to Walkouts Across the Westside

February 7, 2025

February 7, 2025

Walkout Turns Tense as Counter-Protester Confronts Teen in Video From Venice Students from Santa Monica High School (SAMOHI), Culver City...

Open Arms Art Show Runs Through Mar. 22 in Burbank

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Opening Exhibition Saturday Feb. 8 from 12 to 8p.m. More than an art show, the Open Arms Exhibition is an...

Quiet Luxury: What’s Inside the New Regent Boutique and Sweet July

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

The Regent Santa Monica Beach, known for its perfect Santa Monica getaways, or local dining at its Mediterranean-based restaurant Orla...

West Hollywood Deputies Arrest San Bernardino Homicide Suspect on Sierra Bonita

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Man Wanted for Deadly Baseball Bat Attack Captured During Routine Patrol Deputies from the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station apprehended a...

Serial Predator David Pearce Convicted of Murders, Rape in Shocking Fentanyl Overdose Case in West LA

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

“Dead Girls Don’t Talk,” Fake Producer Abandoned Women’s Bodies Like Garbage A jury convicted David Brian Pearce of two counts...

Best Spots to Celebrate Valentines, Galentines, or Have a Super Bowl Party on the Westside

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Cocktails, Game Day Grub, Valentine’s Pasta, and a Lonely Heart’s Tea Service You will find many excellent ways to celebrate...

FDA Issues High-Risk Recall for Pre-Packaged Broccoli Florets Sold at Walmart

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Recall Is Now Classified as Class I Due to Seriousness Of Contamination The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified...

Matū Kai Brings Its Signature Wagyu and Famous Cheesesteak to Brentwood

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Team Behind Beverly Hills’ Acclaimed Matū Is Opening a Second Location One of Beverly Hills’s newest and most popular restaurants,...

West Hollywood’s Drag Story Hour Returns for 2025 Season This Week

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Family-Friendly Storytelling Series Celebrates Diversity and Inclusion The City of West Hollywood will launch its 2025 season of Drag Story...

Free Narcan to Combat Opioid Overdoses Available at the West Hollywood Library

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Naloxone and Fentanyl Test Strips Are Available With No Payment or ID  In response to a rise in fentanyl and...

Influencer Florence Mirsky Responds After Her Racist Rant Is Caught in Video Footage

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Viral Footage Shows Mirsky Using Slurs and Berating Valet Workers in Beverly Hills Influencer and cannabis entrepreneur Florence Mirsky, who...

 State Farm Seeks Emergency Rate Hike, Citing Wildfire Losses—Consumer Advocates Push Back

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Insurer Requests up to a 38% Rate Increase, but Critics Call It an Unjustified Cash Grab In a press release...

(Video) Los Angeles Marathon Returns For 40th Anniversary

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Register at mccourtfoundation.org Register at https://t.co/JUuzwhVeun pic.twitter.com/3m3wiyoBm4 — Palisades News (@PalisadesNewsLA) February 4, 2025

CCPD Seek Public’s Help in Finding Missing Elderly Man with Dementia Last Seen in Culver City

February 3, 2025

February 3, 2025

Resident Last Seen on Washington Boulevard, Public Urged to Report Any Sightings Culver City’s Police Department is asking for the...

Los Angeles County Ramps Up Storm Protections in Fire Burn Areas As Two Storms Approach

February 3, 2025

February 3, 2025

Officials Install Flood Barriers and Urge Residents To Prepare As a storm system approaches California this week, Los Angeles County...