Fire Following Earthquake

The California Seismic Safety Commission has funded the PEER Center to conduct research related to fire following earthquakes. Prof. Charles Scawthorn, a Visiting Scholar at the PEER Center, is leading the study entitled Water Supply in Regard to Fire Following Earthquake. This work is supported from the Commission’s Research Program.

The purpose of the study is to review the current status of emergency water supply in California vis-a-vis needs for fires following earthquake and provide a series of recommendations for improvements if and where needed. Issues to be discussed include fire ignitions following earthquakes, the status of the state’s urban water systems, the status of urban fire departments’ emergency water supply, and opportunities to enhance emergency water supply systems.

View the summarizing handout Fire Following Earthquake: Will water be there for firefighters? (PDF file - 2.9 MB)