January 2025 saw deadly wildfires engulf Santa Monica, Malibu, and other parts of Los Angeles County in California. And when the blazes were finally contained weeks later, 31 people were dead, more than 200,000 were forced to evacuate, and approximately 18,000 homes and structures were destroyed.

It was quickly revealed that reservoirs in the area, specifically designed to fight fires, were empty. Twenty percent of all fire hydrants went dry, leaving firefighters helpless.