As first responders work hard to extinguish the devastating wildfires that have broken out in Los Angeles, many people are wondering what caused the fires and whether policy mistakes may have hindered efforts to extinguish the fires. I have doubts. Kathryn Sorensen, who ran water and wastewater utilities in two major Arizona cities, says there are important facts you need to understand about our water systems.
“Municipal water utility systems are really not designed to fight large-scale wildfires,” Sorensen told Fox News. “They are designed with sufficient storage to meet demand under normal operating conditions and to fight several relatively localized and relatively short-term structure fires.”
Sorensen acknowledged that there needs to be a meaningful discussion about the capacity of the current water system and how it is used.
“If we're looking at a hotter, drier future, perhaps we're changing the capacity of these reservoirs, our operational priorities, how we're moving that water and for what purposes. We'll have to think about it and reconsider it.”
Historian slams California leaders for 'senseless' wildfire response
The sun rises over homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Thursday, January 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Damien Dovarganes)
The Santa Ynez Reservoir, located near the Palisades Fire, has been revealed to have been empty since February 2024 and is the focus of a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). In the lawsuit, LADWP is accused of delaying repairs to the reservoir to cut costs, Reuters reports.
LADWP said in a statement that it closed the reservoir to “meet safe drinking water regulations” and blamed the city's “time-consuming competitive bidding process” for delays in repairs. Additionally, the agency said it would conduct its own investigation.
“LADWP went above and beyond to build the Pacific Palisades Water System to support the typical needs of the community,” LADWP said in a statement. “As we face the impacts of climate change and build resilience to climate change, these codes and requirements will be reviewed and updated when city water systems are used to combat extreme wildfires. We welcome you.”
Burnt structures lie in ruins in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood as smoke from the Palisades fire rises in the background in Los Angeles on January 10, 2025. (Reuters/Mike Blake)
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Discussing the main reservoir at the center of the controversy, Sorensen expressed doubts that “even if it were filled in, it is unlikely that the flow would have changed.” She also believes that even if the Santa Ynez Reservoir is full, “the size of the wildfires will likely overwhelm the system.”
“Now there's a possibility — I don't know if we know all the facts yet — that if the Santa Ynez Reservoir were full, it would add more water pressure to the pressure zones in these hills, causing changes. “It could be for one or more buildings, homes, or businesses,” Sorensen said.
Sorensen said this may have led to changes at the individual level, but likely not “neighborhoods as a whole.”
Fox Corporation donates $1 million to support American Red Cross California wildfire relief efforts
Aerial view of beachfront homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire along Pacific Coast Highway as wildfires cause damage and loss across Los Angeles in Malibu, California, January 16, 2025. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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friday morning, cal fire reported that more than 40,600 acres had been burned and more than 12,300 buildings were destroyed in the fire. At least 27 people are confirmed dead in the fire, but dozens are still missing and the number could rise.
