Santa Rosa. Paradise. Boulder County. Lahaina. Los Angeles. All are places that have shown that American cities and their water systems weren’t built to withstand wildfire, experts say. Hydrants trickled. Pumps and treatment plants lost power. Chemical contaminants were sucked into pipes, requiring extensive and costly work. In Paradise alone, where the 2018 Camp Fire killed at least 85 people and destroyed more than 18,000 structures, rebuilding the drinking water system is expected to cost $125 million and take three-and-a half more years. As wildfires grow more frequent and intense with climate change, and become a greater threat to cities, water utilities are reckoning with the reality that they must build back better.

Other wildfire impact news:

• PBS News: Examining the truth about fighting fires in California amid water management claims​
• Pasadena Now (Calif.): Three Altadena water companies face “significant damage” following wildfires
• Los Angeles Times: Opinion: The reported costs of the Los Angeles fires are staggering. The hidden costs are worse