Two portable fire hydrants sprouted at Lake County’s Keeling Park, drawing water from Clear Lake to supplement systems not built for climate-driven wildfires during the Lucas Fire. The test shows a homegrown solution.
The state has offered little guidance or funding for wildfire-ready water infrastructure as communities face repeated fires.
Willie Sapeta, Lake County Fire Protection District chief, built an alliance of fire agencies and water providers to refill tanks and share water across systems, especially on red-flag days. He secured a $75,000 grant to buy five portable hydrants; another local supplier bought two.
In August, crews demonstrated the hydrants at Clear Lake, and Sapeta said they would be ready to deploy.
For More Information: https://www.kpbs.org/news/environment/2026/09/25/he-knows-his-community-is-going-to-burn-again-now-hes-making-sure-theyre-ready
