The devastating fires in Los Angelesespecially in areas like Malibu and Pacific Palisadeshave left a tragic balance of at least 25 people died and thousands of homes destroyed. In this context of crisis, some homeowners in fire-prone areas have taken unique measures to protect their homes: installing private hydrants. As reported The Wall Street Journalthis strategy has proven to be effective in several cases during the recent fires.
Brent Woodworthpresident of the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Foundationwitnessed how his private hydrant helped save his residence in the hills of Malibu and the neighboring houses.
“The firefighters used my hoses to save my house and the two next door,” he told the outlet. Additionally, when the water pressure in the system dropped, it turned to a pump to draw water from a nearby pool and continue fighting the flames.he detailed. The Wall Street Journal stressed the impact: in a neighborhood where approximately 80% of homes burnedthree homes remained intact thanks to these measures.
At different points of Malibu and surrounding areas, owners such as Kevin B. Rosenbloom have implemented a combination of preventative measures including private hydrants, rooftop irrigation systems and pumps connected to swimming pools.
Rosenbloom, a health software specialist, detailed to The Wall Street Journal: “It’s mentally stressful. “I’m sleeping with one eye open.” During the recent fires, he also made sure to fill all the bathtubs and rain barrels with a few 1,900 liters of water and prepared himself with flame-resistant suits, leather gloves and respiratory masks.
Another significant case is that of Matt Hainescreator of the so-called “Hainy Hydrant”, a system that combines valves and pipes to offer private access to water in emergency scenarios. According to Haines told the newspaper, these teams have benefited a community brigade in the canyon Corral Canyonwhere residents organized patrols 24 hours to monitor your neighborhood and respond quickly to any sign of fire. “It gives a sense of tranquility to our community,” he said.
The Wall Street Journal He highlighted that these brigades, which arose in part thanks to the work of Keegan Gibbs and Woodworth, today operate in seven areas of the mountains Santa Monicaincluding Point Dume, Topanga Canyon and Hidden Hills. Gibbs explained to the media that these groups not only seek to fight small fires, but also facilitate evacuations and educate residents in prevention strategies.
The installation of private systems has generated controversy, particularly around unequal access to protective measures in wealthier communities. Tensions have risen over private fire crews seen fighting fires for wealthy clients or protected by specific policies, he stressed. The Wall Street Journal. However, there are also initiatives supported by authorities, such as community brigades, that expand the response beyond individual interests.
On the other hand, several owners have incorporated these tools in the context of real estate projects. The outlet reported Michael Owenswho has highlighted the use of fire-resistant materials and the inclusion of a private hydrant in the promotion of a luxurious home of almost 980 square meters in Westlake Villagean area still outside the evacuation alert.
“We must remain diligent,” Owens told the outlet. This type of infrastructure is also being valued in high-cost properties, such as a mansion of 6,833 square meters which will be put on sale in February by 25 million dollars.
During the recent fires, residents’ efforts were not limited to protecting their own homes. Rosenbloom, for example, drove his utility vehicle to inspect friends’ properties in Pacific Palisades and Topanga. “Of 17 houses, only three were still there,” he regretfully told The Wall Street Journalreflecting the magnitude of the damage.
Drew Smithdeputy fire commander of the County Fire Department Los Angeleshighlighted that although community brigades are not designed to act on the advance of fire fronts, they do play an essential role in initial damage assessments and strategic evacuations. In addition, they encourage citizens to install fire-resistant materials and reduce external risk factors, such as furniture or flammable vegetation near homes.
The success of initiatives such as private hydrants and community brigades raises the question of how fire-exposed communities can be better prepared in the future. Gibbs, whose community brigade project required five years of county approval, is emphatic: “We have to take action now to build fire resilience.”
