Los Angeles faces criticism as firefighting efforts are hampered by water infrastructure failures during the devastating Palisades Fire, raising questions about the city’s preparedness and leadership.
At a Glance
- The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles led to widespread water supply issues, affecting firefighting efforts
- Fire hydrants in the area had little to no water due to high demand on the water system
- Over 5,000 structures were destroyed by the fire
- Los Angeles Department of Water and Power CEO Janisse Quiñones faces criticism for infrastructure management
- Quiñones earns a $750,000 salary, nearly double that of her predecessor
Water Crisis Hampers Firefighting Efforts
Los Angeles firefighters battling the Palisades Fire faced a critical challenge when their water lines ran dry around midnight, leaving them struggling to contain the rapidly spreading blaze. The fire, which destroyed over 5,000 structures, exposed significant weaknesses in the city’s water infrastructure and emergency response capabilities.
Captain Kevin Easton, part of a small firefighting team protecting the Palisades Highlands neighborhood, reported alarming conditions on the ground. “Completely dry — couldn’t get any water out of it,” Easton said, describing the non-functional fire hydrants in the area. The water shortage persisted into the following afternoon, severely limiting the firefighters’ ability to combat the flames effectively.
Infrastructure Failures and Criticism
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reported that water demand during the fire was four times the normal level for 15 hours. By 3 a.m. Wednesday, all water storage tanks in the Palisades were dry, drastically reducing water flow at higher elevations. This unprecedented demand exposed the limitations of the city’s water system design, which was ill-equipped to handle the speed and scale of the wildfire.
“We are looking at a situation that is just completely not part of any domestic water system design,” said Marty Adams, a former General Manager and Chief Engineer at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which is responsible for delivering water to nearly four million residents of Los Angeles.
The water crisis has sparked intense criticism from residents, developers, and city officials. L.A. City Councilmember Traci Park expressed concern over the city’s under-investment in public infrastructure, while developer Rick Caruso, who suffered personal losses in the fire, lambasted the city’s infrastructure as outdated and mismanaged.
Spotlight on LADWP Leadership
At the center of the controversy is Janisse Quiñones, CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Quiñones, who earns a $750,000 salary – nearly double that of her predecessor – is facing intense scrutiny for her role in the infrastructure failures that contributed to the Palisades Fire, including a disconnected reservoir and broken fire hydrants.
“We had a tremendous demand on our system in the Palisades. We pushed the system to the extreme,” Janisse Quiñones said.
Quiñones’ background has also come under scrutiny. Prior to her role at LADWP, she served as a Senior Vice President at Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), a company linked to several major wildfire scandals in California. PG&E’s power lines were responsible for the Dixie Fire in 2021, the second-largest wildfire in California history, and the 2018 Camp Fire, which led to a $13.5 billion legal settlement.
Looking Ahead
As Los Angeles grapples with the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, questions loom about the city’s preparedness for future wildfires and the adequacy of its water infrastructure. The incident has highlighted the need for significant investments in public infrastructure and a reevaluation of emergency response strategies in the face of increasingly severe climate-related disasters.
With criticism mounting and the threat of wildfires an ongoing concern, the spotlight remains on LADWP and city leadership to address these critical issues and ensure the safety of Los Angeles residents in future emergencies.