Reservoir in Pacific Palisades was out of commission when fire started [View all]

Source: NBC News

Jan. 10, 2025, 4:57 PM EST / Updated Jan. 10, 2025, 7:46 PM EST


A 117-million gallon reservoir in one of the Los Angeles communities ravaged by wildfires was out of commission when the fire started in the area on Tuesday.

The Santa Ynez Reservoir in the Pacific Palisades has been closed for repairs after a covering designed to preserve water quality tore. The Los Angeles Times first reported that the reservoir was offline.

The reservoir’s status may have limited the water system’s ability to provide consistent pressure for firefighters, but Marty Adams, a former general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, said it is unlikely to have made a significant difference in the battle against the Palisades Fire, which burned through 20,000 acres as of Friday afternoon.

“It was out of service. I don’t know exactly how long it’s been out of service,” Adams said. During firefighters’ response to the Palisades Fire, some high elevation fire hydrants dried up, hampering efforts to fight the blaze.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/reservoir-pacific-palisades-was-commission-fire-started-rcna187217