When the Palisades fire broke out in Los Angeles, firefighters faced an unexpected challenge: many of the hydrants in the area were outdated, equipped with just a single small outlet. These hydrants, some dating back to the 1940s, are a far cry from the modern standard, which includes larger outlets to provide more water flow during emergencies.

The American Water Works Association, which sets industry standards, has stated that single-outlet hydrants like these aren’t suitable for normal fire-protection service. Yet, in several neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades and other parts of Los Angeles, they remain the only water source for firefighting. This raised questions about whether more robust hydrants could have helped contain the fire in its early stages before it spiraled out of control.

Experts note that water volume is often more critical than pressure when battling blazes. Michael Fronimos, a fire chief from Michigan, expressed shock upon learning about the outdated hydrants still in use. Firefighters are accustomed to working with the tools they have, but the lack of modern equipment is a glaring issue for cities like Los Angeles.

This incident has added to concerns about the city’s water system, which was already under scrutiny after firefighters reported running out of water during the Palisades fire. While it’s unclear if better hydrants would have changed the outcome, it’s a stark reminder of the importance of updated infrastructure in emergencies.

As cities grow and climate risks increase, ensuring firefighting resources are up to date could be the difference between a manageable incident and a catastrophic disaster.