As wildfires roar into residential neighborhoods, firefighters in California and elsewhere are finding that water systems can’t keep up with the demand.

Water experts dismissed Trump’s claims that California water policy is to blame for dry hydrants. But Los Angeles is also unprepared for the age of urban wildfires.

Reports of fire hydrants running dry as crews battled the Palisades Fire has raised questions among residents and fire officials in San Diego County whether it is something that could happen here when the region gets next major wildfire — and what can be done about it.

Why did dozens of fire hydrants go dry as firefighters rushed to combat flames from spreading in the Los Angeles area? National investigative correspondent Patrick Terpstra explains.

THE CENTER SQUARE –Hundreds of fire hydrants were stolen from the ground for scrap metal in advance of the blazes raging across Los Angeles, highlighting the local government’s challenges in maintaining basic order and infrastructure.

The Palisades Fire, which has destroyed an estimated 1,000 structures, was first reported at around 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 7 in the 1100 block of North Piedra Morada Drive.

At least five wildfires, including a new one that erupted Thursday in the Hollywood Hills, have engulfed Los Angeles County, torching through over 27,000 acres in the region’s most destructive fires in history.

Fire hydrants ran dry in Los Angeles just when they were needed most to fight one of the most destructive fires in the city's history.

We had tremendous demand on our systems in the Palisades,” Quiñones said. “We pushed the system to the extreme. Four times the normal demand was seen for 15 hours straight.”