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From the LA Times: A large reservoir in Pacific Palisades that is part of the Los Angeles water supply system was out of use when a ferocious wildfire destroyed thousands of homes and other structures nearby, The Times found.
Officials said that the Santa Ynez Reservoir had been closed for repairs to its cover, leaving a 117 million gallon water storage complex empty in the heart of the Palisades.
The revelation comes among growing questions about why firefighters ran out of water while battling the blaze. The Times reported early Wednesday that numerous fire hydrants in higher-elevation streets of the Palisades went dry, leaving firefighters struggling with low water pressure as they combated the flames.
Gov. Newsom on Friday ordered an independent investigation of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power over the loss of water pressure and empty Santa Ynez Reservoir, calling it “deeply troubling.”
Posting a copy of his letter on social media, the Democrat governor wrote, ” I am calling 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.
“We need answers to ensure this does not happen again and we have every resource available to fight these catastrophic fires.”
NEW: I am calling 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.
We need answers to ensure this does not happen again and we have every resource available to… pic.twitter.com/R0vq0wwZph
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 10, 2025
Ironically, the Babylon Bee, a conservative satire outlet, seems to have predicted this, as they posted a mocking headline just one day earlier which reads, “Gavin Newsom Demands Answers From Whoever’s In Charge Of California.”
Gavin Newsom Demands Answers From Whoever’s In Charge Of Californiahttps://t.co/yZcheY5OmS pic.twitter.com/CNX7FvJqyf
— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) January 9, 2025
The LA Times clarified, “It’s unclear when the reservoir first went offline. Adams said it had been out of service “for a while” due to a tear in the cover and that DWP’s vast storage and supply infrastructure still provided water to residents without disruptions, until this week.”
A reservoir in the Palisades that holds 117 million gallons of water was offline this month for previously scheduled maintenance. It was empty when the Palisades fire exploded. https://t.co/qLgNpFPwiu
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) January 10, 2025
Santa Ynez Reservoir (117 million gallons in Pacific Palisades) was offline and empty. Unclear how long since it was full. pic.twitter.com/JUvbyZO99k
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 10, 2025
A large reservoir in Pacific Palisades was offline and empty when the firestorm hit, reportedly for repairs.
It provides 117 million gallons of water storage which would’ve been used to fight the fires had it been operable.
The incompetence of California officials is off the… pic.twitter.com/dmxJp0PsqK
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 10, 2025
PROPHETIC: Memo shows fire chief warned LA mayor last month about budget cuts
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