Street after street, there is little but dark ash and ruin where a wealthy seaside enclave favored by celebrities once stood.

As wildfires roar into residential neighborhoods, firefighters in California and elsewhere are finding that water systems can’t keep up with the demand.

Crews battling multiple wildfires that raged across Los Angeles on Wednesday were up against a near-perfect storm: intense wind, low humidity and, most troubling for residents, inadequate supplies of water to contain the blazes.

As Los Angeles attempts to combat wildfires on the edge of the city, reports indicate the city could be running out of water.