[group911@aol.co]

And they will improve it. But in actuality, the system they need is beyond anything that can be practically feasible. Grid systems at the top of canyons are probably beyond doable. Massive elevated water storage would probably be the most doable so you could at least rely on gravity for pressure. You create about half a pound of pressure for every foot of elevation and you should probably try for 100 pounds of pressure. Now figure out how to put millions of gallons of water 200 feet above the highest point.

Originally Posted by speeder

Yep, there is going to be a cruel reckoning when this thing is autopsied soon enough. The water pressure issue will be huge, as well as the FD’s initial preparedness and response time. The Palisades in general are far from most parts of LA in terms of travel time and the Palisades Highlands, (where the fire started), is another long hike by car from the main part of it. They should have had at least one engine up there but they did not. The Highlands are a newer development, (‘60s or ‘70s), the main part of PP is probably 100 years old but did not look it because of so many tear-downs and newer houses built.

The Highlands are up a long, steep road that goes maybe 5 miles(?) into the mountainside and has fancy subdivisions off the main road on both sides. The love of my life grew up there in the ‘70s and went to Pali High, so it’s at least that old.

Anyhow, it’s important to realize that this was a suburban and urban wildfire, (actually both big fires), driven by up to 100mph winds. Neither one was a forest fire by any definition. At no point did they run out of water, they ran out of water pressure. There is a difference.

They will be looking at the water grid but it’s probably impossible to upgrade it to handle any conceivable urban fire with hundreds of buildings burning at once. Can they improve it? For sure.