Wildfires: A Growing Concern in Los Angeles and Orange Counties
A Plan to Provide Unlimited Seawater for Firefighting Stalls
A plan to provide firefighters in Los Angeles and Orange counties with almost limitless seawater to fight fires has been stalled for over a decade, despite the ever-looming threat of mass fires fueled by quakes and high winds. According to Charles Scawthorn, a UC Berkeley researcher and engineer, the fire service simply didn’t see the need for it in Southern California.
The Concept of Emergency Water Supply
Scawthorn, who studies the behavior of mass fires that often follow earthquakes, developed his proposal in 2011 on behalf of the state’s Seismic Safety Commission. His plan involves a network of fixed pumping stations, capable of delivering thousands of gallons per minute of seawater through three-foot-diameter pipes running at the base of Los Angeles’ elaborate network of storm basins.
Portable Water Supply System
To tap into this water supply, firefighters could rely on the portable water supply system pioneered in San Francisco in the 1980s. This system, credited with delivering thousands of gallons per minute to douse the Marina District fire following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, relies on portable hoses and hydrants.
Retired SFFD Assistant Chief Frank Blackburn’s Experience
Retired SFFD Assistant Chief Frank Blackburn recalls that the system saved the day when the city’s quake-damaged water supply system went dry. "We had a conflagration, and we were able to keep it to that one square block and extinguish the fire, prevent it from spreading. You can’t control the fire, so what you have to do is control around the edges of the fire to prevent the fire from spreading. But you have to have the water supply."
Demonstration and Rejection
Not long after a massive fire struck in Malibu in 1996, Blackburn presented his portable system concept to Los Angeles and Malibu officials. "We put a big demonstration on with the portable water system," he said. "They liked everything we had, but like anything else, they don’t want to spend the money."
Challenges and Limitations
Paul Grisanti, a former Malibu city councilman, is a fan of the concept, but acknowledges that it may be a hard sell to fire crews. "Fire companies are not going to do it, as they know fire pumps are sophisticated metal devices and seawater is very corrosive." He also notes that the system has limited range, but Blackburn believes that rinsing rigs can prevent corrosion.
Conclusion
The concept of providing unlimited seawater for firefighting is an innovative and promising solution to the growing threat of mass fires in Los Angeles and Orange counties. While there are challenges and limitations to the system, it is clear that something needs to be done to address this critical issue.
FAQs
- What is the concept of emergency water supply?
The concept involves a network of fixed pumping stations, capable of delivering thousands of gallons per minute of seawater through three-foot-diameter pipes running at the base of Los Angeles’ elaborate network of storm basins. - What is the portable water supply system?
The portable water supply system is a system that relies on portable hoses and hydrants to deliver water to firefighters. - Why was the concept not adopted?
The concept was not adopted due to the fire service not seeing the need for it in Southern California. - What are the challenges and limitations of the system?
The system has limited range, and fire crews may be hesitant to use it due to concerns about corrosion.
