Fires in Los Angeles Using saltwater to put out fires has short-term advantages but long-term hazards.
Authorities have taken the unusual step of collecting ocean water to aid in the fight against the numerous wildfires raging in Southern California, including the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles.
According to Frank Papalia, a former lieutenant in the New York City Fire Department and a fire safety specialist with Global Security Group, firefighters may need to utilize salt water even though it can harm tools, infrastructure, and animals.’
“You don’t move someone when they fall, get harmed, perhaps break their neck, or something similar. However, they will perish if they are surrounded by fire, chemicals, or other hazards.
According to him, the primary method of using salt water to put out flames is to extract it from the ocean using a plane or helicopter and then release it from above.
Video demonstrates that this is already happening in Southern California, where massive flames have been raging out of control. However, after someone flew a drone into the wing of one plane, it was already put out of service. A representative for the Federal Aviation Administration told Fox News Digital that interfering with firemen is a federal offense that carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of $75,000. The agency is currently conducting an investigation.
According to Papalia, there are instances when saltwater is a necessary trade-off, despite the fact that it can harm infrastructure, kill species, and have other negative effects.
He told Fox News Digital, “Using the saltwater is not that bad in this case because your city is burning to the ground.” “The issue is that they have restrictions on the number of planes they can fly simultaneously, the distance they can travel, and the amount of water they can hold. The wind yesterday prevented you from flying.”
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For a number of reasons, saltwater is not used by fire hydrants today. They make use of the same pipes that provide households and businesses with clean tap water. They can’t withstand rusting. Furthermore, Papalia stated that it “would be ridiculous” to create a new saltwater hydrant system linked to ocean pumps.
Additionally, fire hydrants depend on pressure, which is lost when multiple hydrants are open simultaneously.
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The firetrucks themselves, however, are capable of using saltwater; they only need to be in close proximity to obtain it and then undergo a complete cleaning process.
Papalia remarked, “We have them at JFK,” referring to the New York City airport. “The water is pumped from Jamaica Bay. How are you going to get the firetruck into the sand if you’re going to do that at the beach?
Governor Newsom declares a state of emergency after thousands of Californians are forced to evacuate their homes due to the Pacific Palisades fire.
Authorities in Southern California have reported at least 10 fatalities from the fires, and Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna stated that he anticipates more deaths. The evacuation of almost 130,000 individuals has been mandated.
In response to the ongoing fires in Los Angeles, California is sending over 7,500 firemen and support staff, according to the office of Governor Gavin Newsom.
Firefighting resources have also been mobilized from neighboring states, including as Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and New Mexico.
“There’s no question this is gonna be one of the worst fires in the history of the world,” said Papalia.
