David Whitman began selling private fire hydrant systems in 2022. He runs his company, Brushfire Battle Systems, out of his South Pasadena home. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Before evacuating ...

Before evacuating from her Malibu home the day the Palisades fire erupted, Cassandra Riera soaked the plants in her yard, moved flammable patio furniture inside and hooked up her private fire hydrant ...