Title: California Wildfires: Governor Newsom Launches Probe Into Water Shortages as Death Toll Surges to 11
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced an investigation into water shortages that occurred during the recent wildfires in Los Angeles County, which left 11 individuals dead. The investigation comes following concerns raised regarding the loss of water supply and water pressure during the blazes.
The timeline of events began on Friday at 3:15 p.m., when Santa Monica lifted an evacuation warning for residents between Wilshire Boulevard and Montana Avenue, extending the warning further north and maintaining the evacuation order for areas beyond San Vicente Boulevard. The death toll grew to 11 by 2:59 p.m., with five fatalities occurring in the Palisades Fire and six in the Eaton Fire.
Newsom invited President-elect Donald Trump to collaborate with California and combat the human tragedy, as Trump had falsely accused Newsom of rejecting a "water restoration declaration." In response, Newsom asked for a joint effort to prevent politicizing the disaster and spreading misinformation.
At 1:01 p.m., Newsom also directed state water and fire officials to conduct an independent investigation into the causes of the water shortages and the pressure drop in municipal water systems during the fires. He also requested reviews of preparation and response procedures taken by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Los Angeles County officials.
The Archer Fire, which had engulfed approximately 32 acres by 11:42 a.m., saw its evacuation order downgraded to a warning, and by 1:26 p.m., the fire had lessened, with the blaze now covering only 19 acres.
As information regarding the wildfires continued to emerge, it was revealed that the Palisades Fire, which had expanded to more than 20,000 acres as of 5:24 p.m., had damaged or destroyed 5,316 structures in the impacted areas. The death toll had reached seven by 5:09 p.m., prompting Los Angeles County to approve a request from Newsom to deploy 8,000 National Guard members to assist in combating the fires and preventing looting.
By Thursday, the situation in Los Angeles County had significantly worsened, with nearly 100,000 homes and businesses experiencing power outages, and the loss of at least 2,000 buildings to the fires. The cause of the fires remains under investigation, while the state grapples with the aftermath of these devastating events.
- The Palisades Fire, fueled by the dry California weather and high electricity usage due to the heat, spread at an alarming rate, posing a significant threat to nearby homes and structures.
- In an effort to contain the wildfires and prevent further damage, electric companies in the Los Angeles area, including Eaton, initiated controlled power outages, affecting residents in Pasadena and other surrounding areas.
- Despite the power outages and the challenges posed by the wildfires, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power managed to maintain water supply to critical areas, although water pressure drops were reported in some areas during the wildfire blazes.
- In response to the wildfire-induced water shortages and pressure drops, Governor Newsom ordered an investigation into the causes and preparation strategies employed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Los Angeles County officials.
- As the wildfires continued to rage, the threat of wildfires sparking from power lines and electrical equipment became a significant concern, leading to discussions about strengthening infrastructure and implementing preventive measures to minimize the risk of future wildfires and power outages.
