Senator Adam Schiff has come under fire for comments he made about a deactivated reservoir during the recent Los Angeles wildfires. In an interview, Schiff downplayed the impact of the inactive Santa Ynez Reservoir, which had been offline for nearly a year. Critics argue that its capacity, holding 117 million gallons of water, could have provided crucial firefighting resources but was unavailable during the crisis.

Schiff’s remarks were quickly contradicted by reports revealing the reservoir had been empty since February due to necessary repairs. This revelation sparked backlash, with many accusing him of misleading the public. Critics pointed to the dry fire hydrants in Los Angeles, suggesting the state’s neglect of critical infrastructure exacerbated the disaster’s severity.

Governor Gavin Newsom responded to the growing controversy by calling for a full investigation into the status of the reservoir and the broader maintenance of California’s emergency infrastructure. The investigation aims to understand the failures and ensure better preparedness for future natural disasters.

The debate has raised concerns over California’s infrastructure and disaster preparedness. While some defend Schiff, citing the unprecedented scale of the fires, many believe his comments deflect responsibility for the state’s failure to maintain essential resources like the Santa Ynez Reservoir.