Someone was arrested for trying to start a fire.
1 Like
I donât know the LA water supply system, but most water supply networks use a combination of pumps to elevated storages of varying capacity, and in-line pressure booster pumps. The elevated storages might be relatively large reservoirs on high hills or (like in many flat country towns) really small volumes in water towers. Once pumps are down, you lose any in-line pressure boosting and canât refill water towers/high storages. Whateverâs in elevated storages might get water through to certain locations (until the elevated storage emptied) by gravity in a low-demand scenario, but once lots of taps get opened (or pipes get broken) the friction losses from what flow does occur means some water does come out somewhere, but itâs hardly any at any one place, and the pressure available can go negative in higher places in the network - you open a tap and AIR WILL GO IN rather than water out. I used to model water supply networks for country towns in Vic a very long time ago.
In pretty much any water supply system if everyone opens all taps at the same time the pressure will be poor at most places, power available or not, and irrespective of water availability from major reservoirs. This is why bushfire plans canât assume normal power/water supply - people in bushfire-prone areas often have their own concrete water tanks and protected fuel-powered pumps to fight off bushfires. Expecting normal water/power in a major fire is another version of expecting a fire crew with full tanker at every house.
13 Likes
One of the two Canadian water bomber amphibious planes got hit by a hobby drone and suffered damage to the wing, now out of the fight. This led to all firefighting aircraft being grounded for a period.
#idiot
4 Likes
Water pressure and flow always decreases here during a bushfire due to increased demand.
Domestic fire fighting systems powered by generators is the way to go, as power supply is interupted also.
Speaking of cities that do not have water security, we live in one. Just think back to the millenium dought.
Then there is the reforestation and domestic planting schedules using Eucalypts in fire prone areas, the mind boggles.
1 Like
Just to add to the this, water pressure increases at night when not as many people or industries are using it.
1 Like
Thats true, water pressure in potable systems drops at around 6am to 9am, then again around 4 pm to 7ish when demand increases. Thats a norm though.
Its also high in early stages of housing developments, and â â â â â â once the estate is completed.
Yes, Iâm a bit of a water dynamics nerd.
3 Likes
Arrested by citizens then Police let them go.
they didnât let him go
ah gotcha
so they didnât let him go
1 Like
Elevation water pressure was non existent for pacific palisades area. Primary dam for the area was emptied for maintenance.
I feel for those suburbs that are decimated from embers that started spot fires everywhere. That seems like it could happen in a lot of places that you would think are safe. Those houses burnt next to or in the bush/forest areas were always sitting ducks and itâs hard to feel sorry for someone who chooses to build in such risky areas. Those properties along the coastline were so close to the water the tide was basically touching their homes. Probably better they never get rebuilt and just let a coastline be naturalâŚbut I highly doubt it given how expensive the property was / maybe still is.
I live in Hollywood. We had to evacuate Wednesday night when Runyon Canyon caught fire. Spent the night in Long Beach. Thankfully they got that one under control quickly and we could return Thursday.
So far, I have had 4 friends that have lost their houses. One was the place I would spend thanksgiving every year. Itâs devastating.
Winds are picking up again now and are expected to be high until Monday so it could all kick off again. Hopefully this is all under control in the next couple of days.
25 Likes
So sorry to hear your news. It is a devastating time for all, especially those that have lost their houses. Hopefully the death toll wonât increase too much.
What the weather forecast, is it favourable to getting the fires under control?
The reservoir was drained because the cover had been damaged, leading to contamination of drinking water.
Unfortunately the weather forecast is dry and windy for the next week. The firefighters are bracing themselves for tonights winds which will apparently get up to 65mph.
We have had no rain at all this winter too.
4 Likes
Not good news, take care.
2 Likes
From a recent article I read in the LA Times on the Santa Ynez reservoir
All the best for you and those you care about. This is a horrible situation. Heart goes out to you all.
4 Likes