Actor Mel Gibson was left stunned during a drive through Los Angeles’ fire-devastated neighborhoods when a firefighter revealed a startling issue: fire hydrants had no water during critical moments of the crisis.

The firefighter, who accompanied Gibson and NewsNation’s Brian Entin on the tour, explained that while teams initially had water, the supply was quickly depleted. “It’s not uncommon for us to lose water in our firefight,” the firefighter shared, “but losing it so early was surprising.”

Gibson expressed disbelief, asking if the firefighting crews had known about the reservoir issues beforehand. The firefighter responded that none of them were aware, leaving them unprepared. “That’s the crazy bit,” Gibson remarked.

A tour of the devastation

The drive also included a visit to Gibson’s Malibu property, which had been reduced to ashes. His $14.5 million mansion, filled with irreplaceable personal items, was completely destroyed.

Reflecting on the loss, Gibson recalled returning to “nothing” after the wildfire. At the time, he was in Texas recording a podcast with Joe Rogan, aware that his neighborhood was burning.

“I was kind of ill at ease while we were talking because I knew my neighborhood was on fire,” he shared. Upon returning, he tried to maintain a sense of humor, joking, “Well, at least I haven’t got any of those pesky plumbing problems anymore.”

However, the actor admitted the devastation was deeply emotional, lamenting the loss of items he could never recover.
Questions about preparedness and management

Gibson also voiced concerns about the state’s preparedness and the circumstances surrounding the fires. He speculated during an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham that the lack of water and ideal conditions for the fires seemed “a little too convenient.”

“I can make all kinds of horrible theories up in my head,” Gibson said, “but it just seemed a little convenient that there was no water and that the wind conditions were right. It makes you wonder if it’s on purpose. What could they want? An empty state?”

The firefighter accompanying Gibson noted that resources eventually arrived to support the firefight, but the delay raised questions about leadership and planning.

The human toll

The LA fires have left a devastating impact, with at least 25 lives lost and more than 180,000 people forced to evacuate. Gibson expressed his frustration with California’s leaders, accusing them of failing to prepare for such disasters. “Some people were asleep on the job,” he said. “And that’s something the community has to live with.”

As California continues to grapple with recurring wildfires, Gibson’s experience underscores the importance of addressing water supply issues and improving disaster management to prevent further tragedies.

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