Why are fire hydrants running dry amid LA fires? It's a familiar problem in disasters

The Palisades fire faced significant challenges due to non-functional fire hydrants in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. Extreme Santa Ana winds prevented aerial firefighting, forcing reliance on ground hydrants. The city had prepared by filling large water tanks, but pressure dropped as many firefighters accessed the hydrants. Experts note that infrastructure is often insufficient for disaster-level demands. The situation improved as winds subsided, allowing aerial water drops. However, the hydrant system remains below full capacity, prompting questions about future preparedness.

What did the fire engineering experts say about the phenomenon of non-functional fire hydrants during major disasters?

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What are the implications of the fire hydrant system not being back up to 100% after the incident?

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