Lesson from Los Angeles Wildfires

by Mike Marcum

The devastating Los Angeles fires are a grim reminder that municipalities and water districts must plan and prepare for the worst-case scenarios. The unprecedented scale and intensity of the blazes overwhelmed existing water supply systems, leading to critical shortages during firefighting efforts.

Roxborough is part of the West Metro Fire Protection District. We are in District 6 and home to Station 15. Roxborough Water and Sanitation District {RWSD or the District} works closely with West Metro Fire Protection to ensure the brave men and women of West Metro Fire Protection have access to water when and where it’s needed.  Those efforts include but are not limited to ensuring all fire hydrants in the District are accessible and operational at all times, keeping the hydrants painted and visible and ensuring tank levels maintain proper fire flow levels at all times.  The District also actively communicates with the Roxborough Park Fire Mitigation Committee on ways to collaborate and make Roxborough a fire-wise community.

The reality is that there is no municipality in the nation that has the water infrastructure needed to handle fires of this magnitude. The immense demand placed on the L.A. water system led to significant pressure drops, rendering fire hydrants ineffective at crucial moments by operating too many hydrants at once.  This created pressure drops and ultimately drained the supply.  There is no possible way to size the infrastructure to flow enough water to fight a fire of that magnitude, lacking land space, water supply and funds simply don’t allow.

Roxborough’s topography offers RWSD a unique yet challenging situation as homes wind back up into the foothills gaining over 900 feet in elevation.  This requires us to break the system up into multiple pressure zones, 5 major zones and 7 mini zones.  Fortunately, each major pressure zone has its own dedicated storage tank.  Each tank is sized appropriately to accomplish two things, 1) provide adequate domestic supply and 2) provide adequate fire flow.  The tanks in our system range from 600,000 gallons to 1,200,000 gallons based on demand.  The fire flow portions of the tanks account for approximately 75% of the capacity.   The fire flow capacity is always available during the year, making operations challenging during low flow periods to maintain water quality.  Another unique thing is that all the zones are physically connected to the zone above and below it.  If one zone’s tank begins to get low, the pressure reducing valve between zones open and supplements water from the zone above.

West Metro Fire, Roxborough Water and the Roxborough Park Fire Mitigation Committee can’t do it all ourselves, we need all your help.  Tips for residential fire mitigation are listed below.  Thank you for being a valued customer and helping make beautiful Roxborough a fire-wise community.

Tips on Protecting Your Home from Wildfire

Protecting your home from wildfires involves proactive measures to reduce potential ignition sources and create defensible spaces. Here are key steps from the National Fire Protection Association homeowners can take:

1. Create Defensible Space: Maintain a buffer zone around your home by removing dead vegetation, leaves, and other flammable materials. This space helps slow the spread of wildfires and provides a safer area for firefighters to operate.
2. Use Fire-Resistant Landscaping: Incorporate fire-resistant plants and materials in your landscaping. Keep lawns and native grasses well-watered and mowed to a low height. Create fuel breaks with driveways, walkways, patios, and decks.
3. Maintain Your Home's Exterior: Regularly clean roofs and gutters to prevent the accumulation of flammable debris. Ensure that vents are properly screened to prevent embers from entering your home.
4. Store Flammable Items Safely: Keep firewood piles, propane tanks, and other combustible materials at least 30 feet away from your home. This reduces the risk of these items igniting and spreading fire to your residence.
5. Prepare an Emergency Plan: Develop and practice a wildfire evacuation plan with all household members. Ensure everyone knows the evacuation routes and has access to emergency supplies.

By implementing these strategies, homeowners can significantly enhance their property's resilience against wildfires. For more detailed guidance on wildfire preparedness, go to nfpa.org.