low water

While firefighters struggled with low water pressure during the blaze, it’s unclear whether the damaged hydrants played a role.

To learn this, scientists at the University of Arkansas recreated the arid conditions which exist on Mars, in particular the average temperature of −70 °C and very low water vapor content.

Still, The Times found that firefighters there also dealt with low water pressure and dry hydrants as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power struggled to keep up with demand.

The Times has reported that numerous fire hydrants in higher-elevation streets of the Palisades went dry, leaving crews struggling with low water pressure as they combated the flames.

In Altadena, which is served by a different utility, firefighters encountered similar problems with low water pressure as they tried to slow the spread of the Eaton fire.