• Letter from the Director
  • Strategic Roadmap
  • 2025 Impact Report
  • Contact
    Us
  • Give
    Now
UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
  • About
    • Mission, Approach, & Values
    • Policy Impacts & History
    • Team
    • Advisory Board
    • Collaborators
    • Student Opportunities
  • Research
    • Current Projects
    • Climate
    • Energy
    • Fire Hub
    • Heat
    • Transportation
    • Urban Greening
    • Water
    • All Publications
  • News
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Webinar Library
  • Support
    • Giving Opportunities
    • Support Students
  • Subscribe
  • Media
    • Select Media Coverage
    • Contact Our Experts
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu
Download the Brief
Fire
Water

Dec 2025 • Research Brief

How Often Have Hydrants Run Dry?

Evidence from Recent Major Wildfires

Researcher(s): Gregory Pierce, Jennifer Gorman, Edith de Guzman, Faith Kearns

Abstract:

The brief finds that hydrants running dry during major urban wildfires is common, not unique to the 2025 Palisades Fire. It argues that the larger issue is a mismatch between extreme wildfire demands and urban water systems that were not designed to meet them.

Recent Fire or Water Publications

Image to crop
Political Sentiment Explains Regional Perception of Water System Performance in the Los Angeles Wildfires
Jul 2026
Image to crop
A Comparative Analysis of Wildland Fire Smoke PM2.5 Exposure Estimates Across California From 2008 to 2018
Jun 2026
Image to crop
Rethinking Managed Retreat for Wildfire
Jun 2026
Image to crop
Considerations and Pathways for Potential State Oversight of Community Water Systems’ Wildfire Fighting Efforts in California
Mar 2026

Recent Fire or Water News

Water, fire, and finance: building more resilient systems
April 29, 2026

UCLA-led convening highlights need for clearer roles, stronger coordination, and more equitable financing strategies

Blueprint for a better planet
April 20, 2026

How Luskin Center for Innovation and other parts of UCLA are advancing a healthier, more sustainable future.

Sustainable LA Grand Challenge Planning for recovery before disaster strikes
March 19, 2026

Lessons from California’s recent fires and floods

Accessibility – Contact us here for remediation requests
© Copyright – UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation – Enfold WordPress Theme by Kriesi
Terms of Use
The UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). As a land grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.
3323 Public Affairs Building, Box 951656, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1656
Phone: 310-267-5435 | Fax: 310-267-5443
Link to: Adapting Urban Water Supply Infrastructure and Policies for Wildfire in the 21st Century Link to: Adapting Urban Water Supply Infrastructure and Policies for Wildfire in the 21st Century Adapting Urban Water Supply Infrastructure and Policies for Wildfire in the... Link to: Shifting Realities and Expectations for Urban Water Supply Systems: Lessons From the 2025 Los Angeles Fires Link to: Shifting Realities and Expectations for Urban Water Supply Systems: Lessons From the 2025 Los Angeles Fires Shifting Realities and Expectations for Urban Water Supply Systems: Lessons... Scroll to top Scroll to top Scroll to top