Videos: How millions of gallon water reservoirs vanished, hydrants ran dry as fire rages in Los Angles

Since the fiery fires first began eating up around a densely populated--40-kilometer--- expanse north of downtown Los Angles, they have burned over 12,000 structures, a term that includes homes, apartment buildings, businesses, outbuildings and vehicles.

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At least 12 people have lost their lives.

This is fucking heart-breaking 🐴pic.twitter.com/F5EkVB9jO2

— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) January 8, 2025

Pictures and videos of firefighters were seen removing hoses from hydrants that ran out of water as powerful winds fueled devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area forcing people to evacuate in Altadena, California.

Allegations of leadership failures and political blame have begun and so have investigations.

Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday ordered state officials to determine why a 117 million-gallon (440 million-liter) reservoir was out of service and some hydrants ran dry, calling it “deeply troubling.”

Karen Bass the mayor of Los Angeles might actually have to resign. This is pretty damning.

She requested an additional 49 million to be cut ONTOP of the 17 million just days before the fires.

THIS WOULD HAVE SHUT 16 STATIONS pic.twitter.com/tP7ZiT61sb

— Sarah Sansoni (@sarahsansoni) January 10, 2025

🚨 JUST IN: Major radio stations here in Los Angeles are publicly calling for Mayor Karen Bass to be REMOVED

These fires have really woken Californians!

“Our city has been left in crisis. Water supplies strained, billions of taxpayer dollars misallocated, countless lives lost…… pic.twitter.com/5EDnPenIAC

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 10, 2025

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said city leadership failed her department by not providing enough money for firefighting. She also criticised the lack of water.

'Do you owe citizens an apology for being absent whilst their homes were burning? Do you regret cutting the fire department's budget?

@skydavidblevins questions the mayor of LA, Karen Bass, as she faces backlash regarding the California wildfires.https://t.co/Nkz8onjC7V pic.twitter.com/WwRwp6Imqz

— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 8, 2025

“When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect there's going to be water,” she said.

Tens of thousands of people remained under evacuation orders, and the fires have consumed about 56 square miles (145 square kilometers).

The disaster took homes from everyone — from waiters to movie stars.  Videos of the flames burning down schools, churches, a synagogue, libraries, boutiques, bars, restaurants, banks and local landmarks like the Will Rogers' Western Ranch House and a Queen Anne-style mansion in Altadena that dated back to 1887 have gone viral on social media.

2. This is by far the craziest video from the fire in Los Angeles. This guy is filming huge walls of fire surrounding a house they're in, and there's another person and a dog. pic.twitter.com/2ofoKmNXz5

— Raghu (@IndiaTales7) January 9, 2025