http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

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California firefighters succeeded in having enough water on hand to fight the King Fire and others during intense drought, and that accomplishment required forethought and planning. In some instances, fire crews used portable pumps that had to be carried to the water’s edge to draw water after lakes dwindled, exposing a muddy or steep lake bed. At other times, water bodies were too shallow for a helicopter’s bucket to dip into the water to refill, spurring fire crews to be creative to get the water needed to put out a fire. Various water-conserving tactics were used in place of traditional water. When feasible, crews set backfires to clear vegetation or used firefighting foam to smother a fire rather than spraying water on it. Water agencies were also working more closely with firefighters to make water accessible by allowing firefighters to use small area reservoirs. Portable tanks were another helpful means of getting the needed water for firefighting. Water-tender trucks can usually carry 3,500 gallons of water, while the portable tanks can hold up to 5,000 gallons, so it can take two vehicles, which sometimes must travel long distances to bring the water, to fill a tank. Sacramento Bee (Calif.), Sept. 25, 2014