There are reasons that I have heard why they ran out of water:
It has very dry for several months of no rain
Due to high winds the power company cut off power so that if the power lines were downed they wouldn't start fires (this has happened before)
Without electrical power, the water towers weren't being filled (pumped) which is the source of water for the hydrants.
I had heard there were generators enroute to power the water towers
There was a reservoir that was empty due to maintenance
The unsuccessful immediate fire response to the LA fires was caused by an entire system not designed for what occurred. I read a factual response from LA Water and Power to the reports you and many people heard. According to them, all of the mentioned causes except the last one had no effect on the shortage of water for some fire hydrants. Unfortunately, a smaller local reservoir in the Palisades was required to be emptied for repair because its old roof was not watertight causing water quality rules non compliance. There were cross connections to other reservoirs, but the rate of resupply was probably affected
.
I have long experience with municipal fire systems. I’m a retired California Civil Engineer whos practice included municipal engineering. I designed water supply improvements for water agencies and coordinating with them on large development expansions as a designer and City Engineer. I also managed the construction of five new fire stations and expansion of seven others to keep up with City growth.
Nationwide sizing criteria for fire protection has never required near the response capability adequate to protect against these almost instant firestorms caused by extreme winds, and tender dry vegetation. Doing so would make almost all development unaffordable. This includes the size of storage tanks, pumping stations, supply pipelines, number of hydrants, air support, number and size of fire stations and fire engines and staffing of them.
Instead of the impossible unaffordable task of rebuilding our entire infrastructure quickly, the most viable solution is to require fire safe construction to a level not yet required and to control vegetation near structures. This includes fireproof roofs, siding and decks, spark proof foundation and eave vents, fire rated windows, fences etc.. Also, most of the older homes in the fire areas did not have fire sprinklers which are now required.
Existing homes in fire hazard areas need to be retrofitted. I don’t have the answer on how to pay for that. I am retrofitting my own cabin in the Sierras, but most residents don’t have the resources to do so. Areas like Altadena consumed by the Eaton Fire are working class, unlike Pacific Palisades.
