Newsom Orders Investigation into LADWP Amid Fire Hydrant Water Shortages in Palisades Fire

Jan 10, 2025, 09:15 PM

California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for an independent investigation into the loss of water pressure to local fire hydrants and the reported unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir amid the ongoing Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County. Addressing the head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and the Director of LA County Public Works, Newsom emphasized, 'We need answers to ensure this does not happen again and we have every resource available to firefighters.' Reports indicate that firefighters encountered hydrants that were not working and had to resort to using alternative water sources, such as residential pools. The investigation will involve state water and firefighting officials to determine why some local water systems failed during the fires.