Fire Suppression in the Hills Above Brentwood

Let’s try a little thought experiment.

Anyone who lives in the canyons north of Sunset is rightly concerned about the possibility of fire. 

This isn’t just “possibility”; every so many years we have a real fire. With climate change, the fires burn faster and hotter. 

What if we built a state-of-the-art fire station up at the top of the hills, at Mulholland? What if we equipped this fire station with a gigantic water tank, a helicopter (that can carry and drop water) and drones that can zero in on the exact location of fires just after they start?

Let’s complement all this with a text/phone/Siri/Alexa system that can put out a fire alert message to hillside residents that a fire just started. 

Sounds pretty cool, doesn’t it?

If we really wanted to get fancy, we could run a big hose that started in the ocean off Palisades or Malibu and then run it across the top of Mulholland. This saltwater could be used to fill another gigantic water tank. This water could be used to put out fires if things get that bad. The hose would be accessible to firefighters trying to extinguish fires in the canyons, below. 

We already use saltwater to fight fires. Gigantic “super scooper” planes capture ocean water off the coast and then dump it on top of the fires. In a time of drought, we could run out of fresh water and saltwater could be our backup system.

Seawater isn’t considered good for vegetation, so it should be used only as a backup if our freshwater supply is low – a real possibility. But saltwater pouring down on a house on fire – dumped by a helicopter or a workhorse drone — is certainly an acceptable alternative in an emergency, or if our freshwater supply is exhausted. 

If this sounds like science fiction, companies are already working on building fire-fighting drones that don’t require humans to fly them. Here’s a link to an article about this: https://www.popsci.com/technology/firefighting-drones-help-fight-wildfires/

The technology is coming. It’s just a matter of time. And we have as much water as we could ever need, just a few miles to the west. If there’s any place on earth this idea could work, it’s here. 

A bigger impediment to creating this 21st Century fire station up in the hills above Brentwood will be lack of money and all the studies and red tape that will be required to approve such a project. Just because something can be done and it’s a good idea doesn’t mean it will happen right away. 

Here’s another thought that might expedite all this. The Berggruen Institute wants to build a world-class think tank up near The Getty and The Skirball Center. It will be a little more inland from the 405. Like any new project, The Berggruen Institute is controversial. Many don’t like the idea of any developments up in the hills. It’s hard to recall now, but many opposed The Getty before it finally got approved.

Most of those who don’t like the idea of the Berggruen Institute start by citing the potential increase in fire danger. First of all, I can’t imagine this new facility wouldn’t have the best fire-prevention and suppression systems on the planet. Why would Berggruen build something that might burn down soon enough? Plans I’ve seen indicate everything will be built using fireproof materials. 

But what if, in order to get its project approved, the Berggruen Institute agreed to build the futuristic fire station I’ve described? Berggruen would work with Brentwood homeowner groups, the Brentwood Community Council, the LAFD and the City Council to work out all the details. 

If we rolled up our sleeves and got creative, we could do something amazing for Brentwood – and maybe other fire-prone areas that could emulate our model. I think this idea is a win-win. Berggruen gets its location approved; Brentwood residents who live in the hills get much greater fire protection than they have now. 

Should the Berggruen Institute get shot down, a future developer would have the right to build a bunch of homes in that same location. If every one of those new homes has a backyard grill and a few of these homes are owned by individuals who smoke, that sounds far more dangerous than the Berggruen Institute.

Let’s open our minds, Brentwood. There’s a deal to be had here. The purpose of Berggruen Institute is to study serious problems facing mankind – like global warming. Won’t Brentwood be proud if and when Berggruen comes up with ideas our elected officials actually adopt? I can envision Brentwood one day being as proud of Berggruen as it now is of The Getty and The Skirball Center. 

If the risk of fire is the real concern here, that’s a problem we can solve.

Related Posts

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

Fire Survivors Urged to Shape Rebuilding Efforts with Digital Feedback Platform

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The initiative, launched in February, marks California’s first large-scale use of a dedicated digital tool to gather wildfire survivor feedback...

(Video) Italian Eatery Finds New West LA Home after Wildfire Displacement

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Cinque Terra, a longstanding Palisadian establishment, has brought its Northern Italian cuisine to Rose Avenue Italian Eatery Finds New West...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

County Launches AI Pilot to Speed Rebuilding After Fires

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The pilot targets early adopters whose homes, located in R-1 residential zones, were damaged by the wildfires Los Angeles County...

Santa Monica Man Arrested for Allegedly Exporting Electronics to Iran

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Ostovari, identified as the CEO of a Tehran-based engineering firm, allegedly orchestrated the scheme since 2018  A 66-year-old Santa Monica...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

ICE Raids Disrupt Labor in Fire Recovery Efforts: REPORT

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Immigrants, comprising about 75% of Los Angeles County’s construction workforce with nearly half undocumented, per a Bay Area Council analysis,...

Nonprofit Formed by Palisades High Alumni to Host Benefit Concert for Fire Recovery

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

All proceeds will support relief for the Hildebrand family, Palisades High School’s booster club and Palisades Dolphin Strong The Pacific...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

Elvis’ TV Legacy in Beverly Hills to be Explored in Upcoming Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

The session will feature rare clips from the Paley Archive, including Presley’s debut TV appearance, his 1968 Comeback Special, performances...

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...