Delayed Water Infrastructure Projects Blamed for Worsened Impact of Los Angeles Wildfires

Years of warnings about failing water systems and stalled upgrades are under scrutiny as firefighters struggled to combat the devastating Palisades fire.

• Los Angeles County officials were warned as early as 2013 about the need for critical water system upgrades to support firefighting efforts, but many projects remain uncompleted.
• The Palisades fire, which began January 7, exposed significant water shortages, with some hydrants running dry and the Santa Ynez Reservoir left empty for maintenance.
• Key projects, including new water storage tanks and pipeline upgrades in Malibu and Topanga, have faced delays due to budget shortfalls, regulatory hurdles, and local opposition to rate increases.
• Experts agree that completed upgrades could have improved firefighting capacity and potentially saved homes, though officials argue the impact might have been limited.
• The ongoing wildfires, which have killed at least 11 people, have intensified criticism of government inaction and mismanagement of water infrastructure in fire-prone areas.

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