Post Date: 01/15/2025 6:17 AM

Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) Board of Directors, during a special meeting held Tuesday, January 14, unanimously approved and adopted Resolution No. 2647 declaring a state of emergency due to the Palisades and Kenneth fires impacting the service area. The resolution authorizes swift action to support response and recovery efforts for affected customers.

The approved actions, recommended by staff, include: waiving water and wastewater charges for customers whose homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by the fire, reducing customer bills for water used for structure protection during the fire, and working together with local city and county agencies to expedite relief processes and minimize the cost for customers to rebuild their homes.

The resolution follows the emergency proclamation issued by Governor Gavin Newsom on January 7, as well as President Biden’s grant of direct federal assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“There are few words to describe the scale of devastation caused by these fires,” commented LVMWD Board President Andy Coradeschi. “Through these actions, we want our customers to know that the District will be with them every step of the way on the road to recovery. We are not strangers to challenging times like these, and we will overcome just as we have before.”

The Palisades Fire, one of several burning throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties amid extreme red flag conditions, crossed into LVMWD’s service area in the Saddle Peak & Monte Nido areas on January 8. It has since destroyed more than 100 structures within the District’s boundaries, threatened critical infrastructure, and triggered evacuations. Particularly strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation caused the fire to spread rapidly through the Santa Monica Mountains. The Kenneth fire, currently at 100% containment, burned more than 1000 acres in the northeastern portion of the District’s service area, did not damage any structures or infrastructure.

Despite these difficult conditions, LVMWD’s water system performed well under stress, maintaining water service to both customers and firefighters on the front lines.

Additionally, drinking water remains safe to drink within LVMWD’s service area and no boil water notices were issued. It is important to note that while public water systems are not designed to combat wildfires, the District takes measures to prepare for fire impacts by topping off tanks and strategically placing generators near District facilities for backup power. These measures are critical to ensure continuity of service when disaster strikes.

As dangerous red flag conditions continue through the week, LVMWD crews are working hard to ensure continued water service throughout the service area. District facilities remain closed to the public.