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Governor Newsom Demands Answers
Governor Gavin Newsom, calling the situation “deeply troubling,” announced an independent investigation into the water system’s failures during the firestorm. In a statement posted on X, he demanded transparency from local officials and promised a full review of the DWP’s preparedness.
“We need answers to ensure this does not happen again and we have every resource available to fight these catastrophic fires,” Newsom said.
In his letter to the DWP, Newsom highlighted the strain placed on public infrastructure by the extreme conditions, which included hurricane-force winds and bone-dry weather. He emphasized the need for accountability and a comprehensive review of the incident to prevent future tragedies.
Union Leaders Slam Negligence
Gus Corona, business manager of IBEW Local 18, blasted the decision to leave the Santa Ynez Reservoir offline for so long, blaming the reliance on contractors for what he described as “minor repairs.”
“It’s completely unacceptable that this reservoir was empty for almost a year for minor repairs,” Corona said. “This work should have been done in-house, and they shouldn’t have depended on a contractor to do it.”
Mismanagement at the Top?
Adding fuel to the fire, revelations about DWP’s management practices have left many questioning the department’s priorities. Critics have honed in on DWP Chief Executive Janisse Quiñones, who earns an eye-popping $750,000 annually—nearly double the salary of her predecessor, Marty Adams. Quiñones was nominated by L.A. Mayor Karen Bass earlier this year, with her salary sparking controversy even before the firestorm tragedy.
Former DWP General Manager Martin Adams admitted that while the Santa Ynez Reservoir could have helped, it would not have completely mitigated the disaster. Still, the loss of water pressure during critical moments hampered firefighting efforts and evacuation plans, exacerbating the destruction.
A System Buckling Under Pressure
The DWP defended its operations, stating that none of its infrastructure technically “failed” during the fires. Instead, officials pointed to the intensity of the blaze and unprecedented demand for water as complicating factors. The Santa Ynez Reservoir is one of several facilities in the area, collectively holding over 91 billion gallons of water. However, without the reservoir’s 117 million gallons in reserve, redundancies within the system fell short.
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Residents Demand Accountability
For residents whose lives were upended by the firestorm, the explanations offered by the DWP and city officials are far from satisfactory. Many view the offline reservoir as a preventable failure that amplified the devastation.
Governor Newsom’s call for transparency and a full investigation may shed light on the critical missteps that left Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas so vulnerable. But for thousands who lost their homes, answers alone may not be enough. Accountability—and urgent reform—are what they now demand.
I can’t believe the woman in charge of the water system is paid $750K/yr. That is crazy. Makes me wonder what the mayor and rest of her cronies are paid. No wonder California is in massive debt. There should be NO way the American people should be on the hook for any of California’s stupid antics or bills. Help the people that have had their lives destroyed (Not the elite with multi million dollar home), but the other ‘little’ people that have lost everything. The rest of California’s money issues are their problem, not the American people. California can start by investigating just how much government officials are paid.