US Cnn Investigates No ‘water system in the world’ could have handled the LA fires. How the region could have minimized the

US Cnn Investigates No ‘water system in the world’ could have handled the LA fires. How the

 region could have minimized the damage By Majlie de Puy Kamp

, Curt Devine, Casey Tolan, Blake Ellis, Melanie Hicken, Rob

 Kuznia, Scott Glover, Yahya Abou-Ghazala, Audrey Ash and Nelli Black, CNN 13 minute read Updated 9:15 PM EST, Fri January 10, 2025

'A perfect storm': CNN's Nick Watt on how the Los160 Angeles fires got so bad 04:09 - Source: CNN The remains of homes are seen following the Palisades Fire in the Pacific160 Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 10, 2025. 'A perfect storm': CNN's Nick Watt on how the Los Angeles fires got so bad 04:09 survivors 1.jpg California residents recall harrowing escape from fires 01:49 still_21282351_357719.167_still.jpg Erin Burnett flies over Los Angeles to see full scope of wildfire damage 02:21 20250111-lions_chiefs_split.jpg Harry Enten explains why you should expect to see the Chiefs or Lions in the Super Bowl 02:31

China Student Protests Jan2025 DIGITAL.jpg Rare unrest in China caught on camera as protestors clash with wall of riot police 00:45 efirefigther.jpg See what tools former hotshot firefighter used to battle wildfire 02:42 Pacific Palisades Comparison 04.jpg Before and after video highlights Pacific Palisades wildfires' destruction 01:30 brother sot.jpg Man describes asking cousin to get shovel to search for sister's remains in wildfire debris 00:57 still_21280605_16897.13_still.jpg Bill Maher weighs in on Trump’s second term and if it will affect his comedy 00:51 110875_ice_16x9_thumb_2.jpg Ice flies off a moving car and smashes into a passing truck’s windshield 00:39 The logo of the social network TikTok appears on the screen of a smartphone in Reno, United States, on November 18, 2024. (Photo by Jaque Silva/NurPhoto via AP) What will happen to TikTok on your phone if the ban occurs 01:29 still_21267100_1246739.5650000002_still.jpg Man explains why he is defying evacuation orders amid wildfires 02:33

CNN's Kyung Lah speaks with Robert Lara whose extended family lost three homes in the Eaton Fire.

Living close to family should be a blessing. In the Eaton Fire, it turned into a curse 03:24 still_21265973_84665.89899999999_still.jpg Neighbor says this home was ‘touched by God’ in community that now looks ‘like a war zone’ 01:37 still_21278774_13720.351_still.jpg Fire official says firefighters have turned a corner battling the LA fires 03:25 still_21258811_2186260.8019999997_still.jpg Honig outlines how Trump could benefit from Supreme Court’s sentencing decision 02:16 20250109-trudeua_trump.jpg Trudeau responds to Trump needling him about annexing Canada 01:45 comfort food cookies split.jpg What comfort food does to your brain 02:19 stray dog fire digvid.png ‘It’s about caring for each other’: Man helps injured stray dog in wildfire rubble 01:08 The same Pasadena neighborhood is seen on January 8, after the Eaton fire swept through. Satellite images reveal devastation across Los Angeles 02:39 ATHENS - AUGUST 20: Gary Hall Jr. of the United States listens to the national anthem after receiving the gold medal for the men's swimming 50 metre freestyle event on August 20, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Main Pool of the Olympic Sports Complex Aquatic Centre in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) ‘I thought I had more time’: Former Olympian forced to leave gold medals to burn in wildfires 01:25 110850_PacificPalisadesHouseOnFire.00_00_28_22.Still001.jpg Next level shocking': He lost his home in LA fire. His mom's house burned down too 00:42 See More Videos CNN — Even as flames in Southern California continued to carve a destructive path on Friday and fire officials sought to assess the damage and determine how the fires began, a larger question loomed: Could this level of devastation somehow have been minimized, or is this simply the new normal in an era of climate-related calamities? A CNN review of government reports and interviews with more than a dozen experts suggests the ultimate answer is a mix of both. Los Angeles city and county officials have characterized the fires as a “perfect storm” event in which hurricane-force gusts of up to 100 miles per hour prevented them from deploying crucial aircraft that could have dropped water and fire retardant on the drought-ravaged neighborhoods early on. The consensus of experts interviewed by CNN was that the combination of those winds, unseasonably dry conditions and multiple fires breaking out one after another in the same geographic region made widespread destruction inevitable. Nonetheless, humans could have taken some steps to potentially lessen the impact of Mother Nature’s wrath. Inconsistent vegetation management, aging infrastructure and homes, and a lack of planning likely contributed to fires that have so far scorched more than 55 square miles, destroyed thousands of structures and left at least 10 people dead. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass promised a full investigation. “Rest assured…we will absolutely do an evaluation to look at what worked, and what didn’t work, and to correct – or to hold accountable – anybody, department, individual, etcetera,” she said. ‘Got dry hydrants’ Part of that investigation is certain to focus on a key ingredient in fighting fires: water. As high winds stoked flames Wednesday morning, firefighters could be heard on radio broadcasts relaying an alarming development. “We’ve lost most of the hydrant pressure,” one firefighter said around 2:45 a.m. as he requested help refilling fire engines, according to a county dispatch recording. “Got dry hydrants,” said another. A beach house is engulfed in flames as the Palisades Fire burns along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California on Wednesday. A beach house is engulfed in flames as the Palisades Fire burns along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California on Wednesday. Agustin Paullier/AFP/Getty Images Experts told CNN even fully functioning hydrants would not have been enough to battle fires of the magnitude of those that raged this week, particularly when air resources, such as helicopters and fixed-winged aircrafts were grounded due to the wind. “I don’t know a water system in the world that is that prepared for this type of event,” said Greg Pierce, a water-resource expert at UCLA. Still, fully operational hydrants could have helped minimize some of the damage, saving a house here, or snuffing out embers there. In the Pacific Palisades – which is at the far end of the municipal water system and experiences reduced water flow due to decreasing pipe sizes extending from the main line – the dry hydrants were due to unprecedented demand placed on a system that was not designed for fighting wildfires, said Janisse Quiñones, chief executive officer and chief engineer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Quiñones said firefighters battling the blaze in the Palisades created four times the normal demand in the area for 15 straight hours. Three separate storage tanks of roughly one million gallons of water each support fire hydrants in the area. These tanks sporadically ran dry Tuesday night and Wednesday morning leading the pressure in fire hydrants to drop. Quiñones said 20% of hydrants used to fight the Palisades fire ran dry on Wednesday. “We’re fighting a wildfire with urban water systems and that is really challenging,” she said. “This is an unprecedented event.” Will Adams watches as flames from the Palisades Fire close in on his property. People drive out of harm’s way as the Palisades Fire burns nearby. Kevin Marshall sifts through his mother's fire-ravaged property in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, on Saturday, January 11. A firefighter stands guard near a home as the Palisades Fire spreads towards the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles. A firefighter stands guard near a home as the Palisades Fire spreads towards the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles. Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images The backyard of a home in Mandeville Canyon is covered in fire retardant. A girl sleeps on her mom's shoulder at a distribution center for people affected by the Eaton Fire. Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire. A firefighter sets up a hose while fighting the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon. The Palisades Fire burns above a home in Mandeville Canyon. Ella Venne searches through the remnants of her family's home in Altadena, California, after it was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. Firefighters prepare to battle the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. Smoke rises from the Palisades Fire. Alec Miller from the Torrance Fire Department looks at smoke billowing from the Palisades Fire in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. Firefighters watch as water is dropped on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon. A statue stands amid damage from the Palisades Fire in Malibu on Friday, January 10. Volunteers help unload supplies to be distributed to people affected by the Eaton Fire in Pasadena. A helicopter drops water on the Palisades Fire. Paula Tapia hugs Katja Schmolka, who lost her home in the Pacific Palisades on Friday. Smoke from the Palisades Fire rises over the hills near Santa Monica. Vehicles charred by the Eaton Fire sit inside a dealership in Altadena, California. Citrus fruit is burnt in Altadena. Members of the National Guard block entrances along New York Drive in Altadena. A burned fire extinguisher sits in the auditorium at the Eliot Arts Magnet Academy, which was destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena. A firefighter surveys a hotspot in Altadena. A lone tree, burnt from the Kenneth Fire, remains on a hill in the West Hills section of Los Angeles on Thursday, January 9. A man comforts his daughter on the charred ruins of their family home in Altadena. Flames are seen on a mountain near Topanga. A firefighter protects a beachfront property in Malibu. Devastation from the Palisades Fire can be seen from the air. Fire crews battle the Kenneth Fire. A person walks amid destruction in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. Desiree Johnson is embraced by her neighbor after her home was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. The Palisades Fire is the most destructive in the history of Los Angeles County. Megan Mantia and her boyfriend, Thomas, return to Mantia's fire-damaged home after the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena on Wednesday, January 8. Edgar Hernandez waits outside the Pasadena Humane Society to shelter his cat after evacuating his home in Altadena. Altadena, CA - January 08: Fire fighters work a fire during Eaton fire on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, CA. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) A man fetches water along the Pacific Coast Highway. Altadena, CA - January 08: Juan Munoz pours water on the fire ravaged remains of his home where he has lived for over thirty nine years during the Eaton fire on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, CA. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) A group resuces horses during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. The most destructive wind storm to strike the Los Angeles area in 14 years is fanning wildfires and has sent thousands of residents fleeing for their lives, with dangerous gusts expected to persist for at least another two days. Photographer: Michael Nigro/Bloomberg via Getty Images Firefighters work from a deck as the Palisades Fire burns a beachfront property in Malibu. People embrace outside of a burning property in Altadena. Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, right, tours the downtown business district of Pacific Palisades. A man walks past an Altadena business ravaged by the Eaton Fire. An Altadena home is engulfed in flames. Wildfire smoke covers parts of Los Angeles. People in Santa Monica watch smoke and flames from the Palisades Fire. A dog barks as the Eaton Fire destroys part of Altadena. A senior living facility is evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches in Altadena. Palm trees are burned from the Palisades Fire in Malibu. A firefighter battles the Eaton Fire in Altadena. Charlotte, 11, sits inside a car outside the Pasadena Humane Society. Her family planned to shelter their dog, Sid, after they left because of the Eaton Fire. Smoke from multiple fires covers the skyline in Los Angeles. Fire crews begin to clear a toppled tree in Pacific Palisades. A woman reacts to the Eaton Fire in Altadena. Water is dropped over Pacific Palisades by a firefighting helicopter. Firefighters kick down a fence as they battle a fire approaching homes in Pasadena. The Palisades Fire is seen from a plane. A Pacific Palisades resident stands in front of a garage. Firefighters do not know what caused the Palisades Fire. Elderly patients are helped into emergency vehicles as the Eaton Fire spreads near Pasadena. A surfer takes off on a wave in Santa Monica as the sky is blackened from the Palisades Fire. A firefighter battles an advancing wildfire in Pacific Palisades. A home burns in Pacific Palisades. A person uses clothing to partially cover their face near Pacific Palisades. The Palisades Fire burns a Christmas tree inside a home. A firefighter douses a hot spot in Pacific Palisades. A woman cries as a fire advances in Pacific Palisades. A view of the Palisades Fire from Venice. Flames burn homes in Pacific Palisades. A man in a wheelchair is evacuated from Pacific Palisades. The Palisades Fire burns several miles behind the Santa Monica Pier. Will Adams watches as flames from the Palisades Fire close in on his property. People drive out of harm’s way as the Palisades Fire burns nearby. Kevin Marshall sifts through his mother's fire-ravaged property in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, on Saturday, January 11. A firefighter stands guard near a home as the Palisades Fire spreads towards the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles. In pictures: Wildfires spread in Los Angeles County 2 of 72 Prev Next On Friday, the Los Angeles Times reported that a nearby reservoir was undergoing repairs and was empty at the time of the fires, further hampering firefighting efforts. Hours later, California Gov. Gavin Newsom called for an independent investigation into the problems with the water supply for firefighters battling the blazes. “The ongoing reports of the loss of water pressure to some local fire hydrants during the fires and the reported unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir are deeply troubling to me and to the community,” Newsom wrote in a letter, which he posted on X. The letter was addressed to Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella and Quiñones. “We need answers to ensure this does not happen again and we have every resource available to fight these catastrophic fires,” the governor said. Across town in Altadena where the Eaton Fire broke out Tuesday evening, problems with dry hydrants traced back to a lack of electricity, said Bob Gomperz, a board member at a Southern California water supplier which provides water to the western region of Altadena. In an interview with CNN, Gomperz explained that in foothill communities like Altadena, the water system relies, in part, on gravity. That means water needs to be pumped into tanks at higher elevations so that it can flow downhill when needed. Once those tanks were drained by firefighters and homeowners with garden hoses battling the recent blaze, officials were unable to pump water to refill them because Southern California Edison cut power in the area to protect firefighters from falling power lines. Without power, Gomperz said, there was no way to pump water to where it was needed. “It’s a Catch-22,” he said. ‘Screaming to be properly funded” While the Los Angeles area is no stranger to large wildfires, fire officials have been sounding the alarm over their ability to meet a dramatically increasing risk of disaster fueled in large part by climate change. But major improvements require political will and extensive financial resources — which Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has repeatedly said she doesn’t have. Just last month, Crowley wrote in a memo to Bass that the elimination of “critical” civilian support positions and $7 million in cuts to overtime hours had “severely limited the Department’s capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies.” Sun rises over the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of west Los Angeles, in the aftermath of devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area forcing people to evacuate, in California, U.S., January 9, 2025. Related live-story Los Angeles wildfires: At least 10 dead and 153,000 told to flee as alert system fixes underway Crowley said that the budget cuts had affected the department’s training and fire prevention efforts, specifically noting that current funding limited the department’s ability to complete required brush clearance inspections, which she described as “crucial for mitigating fire risks in high-hazard areas.” Last year, Bass approved over $17 million in cuts to the annual fire budget, a decision that has drawn much criticism as the calls for help amid the fires have far outnumbered the firefighters available to respond. Bass addressed the controversy surrounding these cuts in a press conference Thursday, arguing that the kinds of budget cuts made would not have had any impact on the current situation. “It’s important to understand that we were in tough budgetary times,” she said Thursday. “Everybody knew that, but the impact of our budget really did not affect what we’ve been going through over the last few days.” Bass also said additional funding had been allocated “to be distributed later on.” That additional funding amounted to a $53 million increase for the fire budget from the previous year, a spokesperson for City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield told CNN. Still, in an interview with local news station Fox11 on Friday, Crowley said the city had failed her department and that she believes they would have been in a “better position” to prevent some of the widespread damage had her requests for additional resources been granted. “We are screaming to be properly funded,” she told the reporter. The burned remains of the Eliot Arts Magnet Academy auditorium that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California. The burned remains of the Eliot Arts Magnet Academy auditorium that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Crowley had also expressed concern in a January 2023 memo. “From the effects of climate change, seasonal Santa Ana wind conditions, to the impact of increased construction in the high severity fire areas, the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) is facing a year round fire season,” she wrote, noting that expanded staffing would be needed to meet this “new normal,” which has been further worsened as the number of prison inmates who have traditionally worked alongside firefighters as part of the state’s conservation camp program have dwindled due to state prison reforms. Officials in Los Angeles County had also pointed last year to a “critical shortage” of these additional inmate boots on the ground, saying the problem had been “exacerbated by the increasing frequency and severity of wildland fires due to climate change.” The Federal Emergency Management Agency rated Los Angeles County as “the most susceptible county in the United States to natural disasters,” according to a recent county progress report on an initiative launched in 2023 to create “climate ready communities and infrastructure” given these increased risks. Yet as fires continued to rage this week, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone acknowledged at a press conference that there were not enough firefighters to take on the multiple enormous and quickly spreading blazes located across wide swaths of the city and county. “We don’t have enough fi