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Los Angeles City Council calls on water utility to explain dry hydrants, empty Santa Ynez Reservoir amid wildfires

Councilwoman Traci Park thanks firefighters and police for helping her Pacific Palisades community
Councilwoman Traci Park thanks firefighters and police for helping her Pacific Palisades community 00:52

Los Angeles leaders ordered an analysis of the city's water infrastructure on Tuesday, a week after the Palisades Fire destroyed thousands of buildings in the coastal community. 

It comes days after Gov. Gavin Newsom called for an independent investigation into the loss of water pressure and unavailability of water from the 117-million-gallon Santa Ynez Reservoir.

The LA City Council unanimously approved 21 of 24 special motions, most of which were introduced by Councilwoman Traci Park, who represents the Pacific Palisades neighborhoods devastated by one of California's most destructive blazes. In addition to the analysis, the city directed the Department of Water and Power to create communications protocols with the fire department to relay reservoir statuses. They also called for an independent report into the wildfire response and programs to help with long-term recovery efforts.

"Our singular goal must be to ensure that residents have the resources they need to rebuild their lives and come home," Park said. 

Without firefighting aircraft grounded because of the historically strong winds, flames and quick-moving embers in the Pacific Palisades strained the three 1-million-gallon water tanks within the disaster's first day. 

"We had a tremendous demand on our system in the Palisades. We pushed the system to the extreme," said Janisse Quiñones, the DWP's chief executive and chief engineer, a day after the fire broke out. "Four times the normal demand was seen for 15 hours straight, which lowered our water pressure."

The wildfire destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least nine people. In total, 5,104 firefighters, 524 engines, dozens of retardant and water-dropping helicopters responded to the Pacific Palisades to help douse the flames.

"I personally have never been prouder of anything in my life, than to be part of this incredible team," Park said during Tuesday's meeting. "I also want to thank our firefighters, our law enforcement personnel and our emergency responders who have relentlessly been part of day one."

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