Santa Ynez Reservoir in Santa Monica Mountains Was Offline and Empty Before the Palisades Fire

1.10.25: The Santa Ynez Reservoir had been closed for repairs to its cover, leaving a 117 million gallon water storage complex empty in the heart of the Palisades. This according to the Los Angeles Times.

Cal. Gov. Gavin Newsom has pledged a full investigation into the closure. He has taken much criticism along with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, for being underprepared before Tuesdays fire basically immolated the entire town of Pacific Palisades.

The affluent town is looking at five to ten years before it is repaired and rebuilt to the previous population levels.

Janisse Quinones gets paid $750,000 a year as head of DWP.

Janisse Quinones gets paid $750,000 a year as head of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. She did not mention the empty reservoir in her review of water quality problems in the Palisades yesterday.

Los Angeles Fire Department chief Kristin Crowley turns on Los Angeles leadership, says they failed her. She called out the city for having no water in the Santa Ynez Reservoir. 117 million gallons in Pacific Palisades was offline and empty. #LosAngelesFires #LosAngelesFire

Santa Ynez Reservoir map.

Santa Ynez reservoir has apparently been empty for years

California Gov. Gavin Newsom: "I am calling for an independent investigation into the loss of water pressure to local fire hydrants and the reported unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir."