Water shortages make it difficult to extinguish dangerous fires that have been ravaging the Los Angeles area for several days. The shortage has led many to wonder why firefighters don't use salty ocean water, which is plentiful in coastal California, when responding. There is a very simple explanation for this decision of the services.
Since Tuesday, firefighters from Los Angeles County have been fighting extensive fires that are burning areas near the metropolis. The flames contributed to the death of at least 10 people, a thousands of houses were completely destroyed. On Thursday evening, local time, over 8,000 firefighters supported by ground and air took part in controlling the fire.
“We have exhausted all resources”
One of the factors that made it difficult to fight the flames was water shortages. On Wednesday, Janisse Quiñones of the Los Angeles Fire Department's Department of Water and Power said the fire department had exhausted all of its water reserves and had to use city water systems. California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed that the situation is serious.
“We have exhausted all resources,” he said. – Such hydrants can handle two or three fires, sometimes one larger fire, but not something on this scale.
Due to water shortages on Wednesday, some firefighters decided to draw water from the Pacific Ocean to extinguish the fire, but this solution is used quite rarely. Salt water can damage firefighting equipment, including tanks, hydrants and hoses. Moreover, high salt content is also harmful to ecosystems – excessive salinity of soils can result in their sterilization. As USA Today explained, in order to use ocean water to extinguish the fire, it must be desalted.
>>> CHECK ALSO: More victims of the great fire. “I have to run, the fire is right in front of the house”
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/CAROLINE BREHMAN