The reporting is that this neighborhood is reliant on water tanks where the water is pumped to higher altitudes for distribution in the area. The city of Los Angeles doesn't lack the water, but apparently the tanks are emptying and can't be filled that quickly.
WATER SUPPLY PREPAREDNESS & AVAILABILITY IN PACIFIC PALISADES
In advance of the fire, LADWP activated its emergency preparedness protocols and filled all available water storage facility tanks and reservoirs, including three 1-million-gallon tanks in Palisades area.
Water continues to flow in the Palisades area through our main system. The high winds severely limited air operations and the number of fire hoses deployed depleted our tanks in the area, which has affected hydrants at high elevations. We immediately implemented our contingency plan to provide water trucks to support our firefighters, and our crews are working on how to refill the tanks during this very active firestorm.
We have deployed nineteen 2,000 – 4,000-gallon tanker trucks to further support firefighting efforts and are working right now with our water agency partners to increase water pressure to the area.
We are also asking our customers in the Westside to conserve water to make sure we are ready as the winds and dry conditions continue.