A firefighter walks away from an empty hydrant Thursday while battling the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California. (Fred Greaves/Reuters) By Brianna Sacks , Molly Hennessy-Fiske , Brianna Tucker and Emily Wax-Thibodeaux

ALTADENA, Calif. — Ryan Babroff hurried to a nearby hydrant, hoping to help firefighters and residents douse the massive flames consuming homes in this mountain community northeast of Los Angeles.

But when he pried it open, no water came out. The hydrant was empty.

The Cal Fire volunteer and photographer said he encountered at least four dry hydrants as he tried to aid those battling the Eaton Fire in Altadena on Wednesday. Firefighters had to drive to neighboring Pasadena to fill their trucks.

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