Ventura County Grand Jury Critical Of Local Water Agencies Wildfire Preparations
Wednesday June 14, 2023
(File photos from the 2017 Thomas Fire)
The Ventura County Grand Jury has released a report that is critical of the ability of most local water agencies to provide much-needed and dependable water supplies during a major wildfire.
In light of the massive Thomas and Woolsey wildfires in 2017 and 2018, the panel investigated 15 local water purveyors and found most not adequately prepared.
They say most lack adequate backup power especially in light of Southern California Edison's Public Safety Power Shutoffs that are now standard procedure during wildfires.
The Grand Jury says there is inadequate communication and cooperation among the water agencies that would allow them to help each other share water supplies.
There are questions about whether brush clearance around water infrastructure in the cities of Fillmore, Oxnard, and Ventura is up to code.
And the Grand Jury says timely fire weather forecasts and alerts to water agencies is inconsistent due to out-of-date contact lists at the Ventura County Office of Emergency Services.
Here is a link to the entire Grand Jury report...
