Amid wildfires, false claims about LA’s water management are misleading the public and distracting from real issues like climate change
This kind of misinformation is flying around, especially as folks criticize California’s water management during these intense fires. Peter Gleick from the Pacific Institute said this false info is just a way to attack California’s Democratic leadership while ignoring the real issues, like climate change.
There’s been chatter on social media about Stewart and Lynda Resnick, who own a big agriculture company with a stake in California’s Kern Water Bank. Some claim they control the state’s water and aren’t sharing enough for firefighting. But the truth is, that water bank is over 100 miles away from LA and has nothing to do with the city’s water supply. The Wonderful Company, which the Resnicks own, said there’s “zero truth” to these claims.
While the Resnicks have faced criticism for their water use during droughts, Gleick pointed out that their company isn’t responsible for the water issues related to the wildfires. He emphasized that California has serious problems with water allocation, but those issues aren’t linked to the fires.
Some hydrants in LA ran dry during the firefighting efforts, leading to a wave of criticism, including from President-elect Donald Trump, aimed at Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom. Officials clarified that the hydrants were overwhelmed due to high demand, especially since aerial firefighting wasn’t possible because of strong winds. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power stated they were pumping enough water, but it just wasn’t enough to keep up with the demand.
Janisse Quiñones from the water department explained that when the Palisades fire started, they had 3 million gallons available, but the demand was four times higher than usual. Hydrants are designed for smaller fires, not for hundreds of homes at once. Mayor Bass mentioned that about 20% of hydrants went dry.
Critics also raised eyebrows about the Santa Ynez Reservoir being empty when the fires broke out. Some social media users even suggested officials should be jailed over it. The reservoir has been empty for nearly a year due to repairs needed for safe drinking water. The water department said the repairs took time because of competitive bidding processes.
Marty Adams, who used to manage the water department, said they had to drain the reservoir to see the damage, and once they did, they realized the repairs would be more extensive than expected. He added that even if the reservoir had been full, it likely wouldn’t have been refilled quickly enough to help with the fires.
Governor Newsom has called for an independent investigation into the hydrants and the reservoir, and at least one lawsuit has already been filed regarding the reservoir issue.
As for the claims about firefighters using small bags to fight flames, those videos went viral. Some mocked the use of “women’s handbags,” suggesting that money for proper equipment was wasted on other initiatives. However, the state clarified that those small bags are standard tools for fighting smaller fires and can be more effective than hoses in certain situations.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said this misinformation is demoralizing for firefighters. She noted that it’s tough for them to hear doubts about their efforts. Michelle Ciulla Lipkin, from the National Association for Media Literacy Education, called the spread of false information during a crisis “irresponsible” and highlighted its dangerous impact on public response and trauma coping.
The Associated Press, with support from the Walton Family Foundation, continues to cover water and environmental policy, ensuring accurate information is shared during these critical times.
