Dilara Karatas
13 January 2025•Update: 14 January 2025
ANKARA
Anadolu has captured footage of critical water reservoirs that are supposed to be used in the ongoing forest fire extinguishing efforts in Los Angeles and around California, but are closed for repairs.
Debates over the “insufficient” water supply in reservoirs designated for firefighting efforts have become a central issue as the devastating wildfires continue for the seventh consecutive day in Los Angeles.
The closure of the 117-million-gallon (over 442 million liters) Santa Ynez Reservoir for repairs has further complicated firefighting efforts.
Water sources are crucial in wildfire response, and Anadolu’s footage of the empty reservoirs underscores the growing concerns over water shortages.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) reported that all three 1-million-gallon (over 3.7 million liters) water tanks in the Pacific Palisades area, one of the hardest-hit zones, emptied quickly.
The revelation in July 2024 that Mayor Karen Bass had cut $17.6 million from the fire department’s budget added to the criticism, intensifying worries over water resource availability in a region frequently affected by wildfires during hot and dry seasons.
Despite reassurances from both LADWP and California Governor Gavin Newsom that adequate water was available for firefighting, the criticism persists.
Main focus of criticism is administration's 'insufficient' measures
Local residents, celebrities, and social media users have criticized the city's lack of preparedness in utilizing available water resources to fight the fires.
Many have pointed out that authorities have ignored long-standing warnings and failed to take sufficient preventive measures in fire-prone Los Angeles.
Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass have also faced accusations of contributing to “one of the worst disasters” in US history.
The nearly year-long closure of the Santa Ynez Reservoir and the low pressure in fire hydrants have been highlighted as significant threats to public safety, with growing calls for better fire management and preparedness in Los Angeles.
*Writing by Mevlut Ozkan in Istanbul
