Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered an independent investigation into how the loss of water left dry fire hydrants and hindered firefighting efforts in Los Angeles.

Firefighters working to extinguish the wildfires in the Los Angeles area have faced challenges as hydrants either have water shortages or completely ran out.

Small canvas bags that Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) firefighters used as makeshift water containers to quickly put out a trash fire have been misdescribed on social media as women’s handbags, suggesting the LAFD is under-resourced because of budget cuts and donations of firefighting supplies to Ukraine.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered an investigation into loss of water pressure at fire hydrants. Read more.

As wildfires roar into residential neighborhoods, firefighters in California and elsewhere are finding that water systems can’t keep up with the demand.

How do you fight a fire with no water?” Ryan Babroff, a volunteer firefighter battling the Eaton Fire, told The Washington Post. At some point this week, up to 20 percent of the city’s hydrants went dry,

The Palisades Fire, which has destroyed an estimated 1,000 structures, was first reported at around 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 7 in the 1100 block of North Piedra Morada Drive.

Explaining why dozens of fire hydrants stopped working amid deadly wildfires scorching across the Los Angeles area. (Scripps News)