THE FIRES THAT ARE DEVASTATING LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ARE NOT LIMITED TO DESTROYING FORESTS AND HOMES BUT ALSO EXTEND THEIR IMPACT TO DRINKING WATER. CONTAMINATION OF WATER SYSTEMS, OFTEN IGNORED, REPRESENTS AN INVISIBLE BUT DANGEROUS THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE RECOVERY OF AFFECTED COMMUNITIES
Los Angeles on fire
Over the last decade, California has faced an exponential increase in wildfires, and the Los Angeles area has not been spared. In late 2024 and early 2025, a series of devastating wildfires struck the region, leaving an indelible mark on Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, and other surrounding communities.
The most destructive event, known as the “Pacific Inferno,” originated on December 29, 2024, fueled by extremely intense Santa Ana winds and unusually high temperatures for the period.
The flames spread rapidly across the hills, devouring dry vegetation and infrastructure in a flash. Pacific Palisades, famous for its luxury homes and breathtaking ocean views, has turned into a fire zone, ravaged by blazes.
Altadena, suffered considerable losses but also showed surprising resilience. Here, close collaboration between residents and local institutions has facilitated the sharing of resources such as food, water and temporary shelter. Schools functioned as collection centers for displaced people, while neighborhood associations coordinated donations and provided logistical support.
In Pasadena, however, a city famous for Rose Bowl (an iconic stadium that hosts high-level sporting events, such as the famous college football tournament and the Rose Parade) and its rich cultural heritage, the devastation highlighted an increased difficulty in coordinating response efforts. The lack of a similar level of social and institutional interconnection has slowed down the organization of aid and the distribution of necessary resources.
The immediate consequences were disastrous: over 10,000 acres of land were charred, thousands of families lost their homes, and tens of thousands of people were forced to evacuate. Authorities have declared a state of emergency, mobilizing resources from across the country to try to contain the flames. Despite efforts, the sheer size of the fires and unfavorable weather conditions made rapid containment impossible.
The fires in Los Angeles and the risk to drinking water
During the fireas flames ravaged structures and landscapes, local water systems suffered a major collapse. Water pressure has drastically decreased in many areas due to the enormous amount used during firefighting operations.
This decline has allowed chemical and microbiological contaminants to infiltrate water systems. Additionally, the extreme heat caused significant damage to infrastructure, melting plastic pipes and water meters and releasing toxic substances directly into the water supply.
Preliminary analyzes have identified the presence of benzene, one of the most dangerous carcinogens, together with other volatile organic compounds such as styrene (a chemical substance used in the production of plastic, known for its neurotoxic potential) and toluene (an industrial solvent used in paints and glues, which can cause damage to the central nervous system and liver).
These contaminants pose an immediate threat to health, causing symptoms such as nausea, dizziness and, in case of prolonged exposure, serious damage to the immune system and other vital organs.
In addition to the chemical damage, the smoke generated by the fires, full of polluting particles and toxic substances, was sucked into the water pipes, further worsening the contamination. These particles not only compromise the quality of the water but prolong its danger over time. Which makes complex reclamation operations necessary to guarantee security of supply.
Among the hardest hit areas are Pasadena, where entire neighborhoods were left without drinking water and Pacific Palisadeswhere residents returning after evacuations found signs with the warning: “Non-potable water”. The domestic use of this precious resource, for washing or cooking, continues to represent a danger, as the chemicals stick to the surfaces of the pipes, making their elimination complex.
Institutional responses
Local authorities have put in place an emergency plan to monitor water quality and establish safety protocols to reduce risks related to contamination. However, the effectiveness of the interventions was compromised by delays in testing and a lack of adequately trained staff.
To meet the immediate needs of the population, the institutions have started the distribution of bottled water. This temporary measure, although representing an initial relief, has proven insufficient: residents complain about the scarcity of available supplies and the total absence of clear information on the duration of the emergency and the timescales for restoring normal supplies.
According to experts, transparency is crucial to managing a situation of this magnitude. The population must be promptly informed both on the levels of contamination detected and on the preventive measures to be adopted. Authorities have advised residents to completely avoid using potentially contaminated water, even for cooking or washing. However, this strategy, in addition to placing an economic burden on families, is unable to effectively cover daily needs.
The technical challenges
Repairing compromised water systems requires complex and expensive interventions. Replacing damaged pipes and cleaning tanks could take months. Meanwhile, a technical guide published in 2024 on water management in emergency situations provides valuable guidance to speed up the work.
Latest updates
In recent days, the situation has worsened further due to the fires that continue to devastate the region. A new episode has devastated Oxnard, a Californian city in Ventura county, about ninety kilometers from Los Angeles. The flames broke out in a dry river bed and quickly spread to the surrounding agricultural areas. The death toll rose to 25, with 26 people still missing.
The authorities have issued new evacuation orders, extending the alert to several areas of the city. Strong winds, with gusts reaching 105 km/h, continue to fan the flames. Over five thousand firefighters, supported by 1,800 National Guard men and a brigade of 72 firefighters from Mexico, are engaged in containment operations.
Air quality has significantly worsened, with health authorities declaring an emergency due to smoke and ash in the atmosphere. Furthermore, over 267 thousand homes and businesses are without electricity, further worsening the crisis.
Local and federal authorities are working tirelessly to address the emergency, but adverse weather conditions continue to pose a significant challenge.
Addressing this crisis will require a joint commitment between institutions, experts and local communities to ensure the restoration of water security and prevent future similar emergencies.
Sources
Andrea J. Whelton, professor of civil, environmental and ecological engineering, Purdue University.
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