However, in case of an earthquake, we will definitely be able to pick the bird balls out of it and drink it. Can’t wait.

I’m sure you are right, in that Silver Lake is rarely used in urban fires or in day to day work. In the 7 years I’ve lived here, I’ve seen it used only for emergencies and/or wildland fires: it was the main source of water for the disastrous Griffith Park fire last May at this same time, with 800 acres burned, and has been used many times for other smaller fires in the Griffith Park hills, and also several times in the hillsides of Burbank and Glendale, all of which I can see from here.

I’m always so grateful that the water was available in the Lake to assist the firefighting in an emergency or wildland fire situation. I wish it was now, too.

Many thanks to the LAFD’s quick victory in Elysian Park.

Kindly allow me to add an additional voice of reassurance to that of Captain Miyagishima, and assure you that there are more than three dozen pre-identified and prepared sites, *not including* several open bodies of water such as Silver Lake, that are ready and able to support the aerial assault against wildfire in our City. I’m pleased to say that yesterday’s small brush fire in Elysian (not Echo) Park was confined to less than three acres and extinguished in less than ninety minutes. As you noted, the presence of water in Silver Lake was neither a factor or consideration in the battle against this particular fire – and has in recent years been a rarely used resource. We appreciate your overall confidence in the men and women of the LAFD, especially their planning and resourcefulness, in dealing with the perpetual challenge of wildfire in our region.

Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,

Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department