Pool News
No Water, No Help: Californians Use Pools to Fight Fires
As wildfires tear through Los Angeles County, firefighters and residents are forced to get creative in their efforts to protect homes and lives. With fire hydrants running dry and water supplies stretched thin, swimming pools have emerged as an unexpected and crucial resource in the battle against the flames. This unconventional lifeline has brought neighbors together and revealed both the resilience and the shortcomings of the county’s firefighting infrastructure.
Pools Become a Lifeline Amid Water Shortages
In many neighborhoods, the usual tools of firefighting — hoses connected to fire hydrants — have been rendered useless. Hydrants in several areas have failed to deliver water, leaving crews with few options to combat the fires. With homes burning and resources dwindling, residents have turned to backyard pools as an alternative water source.
The shift to using pool water began out of necessity. In one neighborhood, as flames crept closer, a resident pointed out, “We have no water here in the street, but there’s water in the backyard pool.” This sparked a frantic effort among neighbors to use buckets and hoses to transport pool water to the fire. Makeshift bucket brigades were quickly formed, with residents working together to douse flames and protect their homes.
For firefighters, pools have become an essential resource in neighborhoods where hydrants are failing. Some crews have used portable pumps to extract water directly from pools, a technique that has allowed them to continue their work even as municipal water systems falter. These efforts underscore the critical role that backyard pools are playing in areas hardest hit by the fires.
The Unseen Potential of Backyard Pools
The use of pool water is not a new concept in firefighting, but it has rarely been as vital as it is now. With thousands of homes in Los Angeles County equipped with pools, these backyard features have become unexpected allies in the fight against wildfires. Pools, often seen as symbols of leisure and luxury, are now doubling as emergency water reservoirs.
Firefighters have praised residents who have offered their pools as a resource. One fire chief noted, “We’re doing everything we can with what we have. Pool water is keeping us in the fight when other options aren’t available.” Portable pumps and hoses designed to draw water from pools have become essential tools, allowing firefighters to access hundreds of gallons of water in minutes.
Despite their importance, relying on pool water comes with challenges. Extracting water from a pool requires equipment that not all fire crews have readily available. Additionally, the process can be time-consuming, especially in situations where every second counts. Nonetheless, in a crisis where traditional water sources have failed, pools have proven to be a critical stopgap measure.
A Desperate Community Takes Action
The community response to the fires has been nothing short of heroic. In one particularly harrowing scene, residents formed a bucket brigade to protect a neighbor’s home. Using nothing more than buckets, hoses, and sheer determination, they managed to keep the flames at bay long enough for firefighters to arrive with additional support.
These grassroots efforts highlight the desperation and ingenuity of residents who refuse to give up on their homes. One resident, visibly shaken, described the scene: “It’s embarrassing that we have to rely on pool water and buckets to fight fires, but what else can we do? Our state has failed us.”
While residents have stepped up, the emotional toll of the fires is evident. Families watch as flames threaten to consume their homes, knowing that the odds are stacked against them. One woman, whose grandmother’s home was on the verge of being destroyed, said, “To see our home in this danger is so, so worrisome. We’re doing everything we can, but it’s not enough.”
Systemic Failures Highlighted by the Crisis
The reliance on pool water has exposed deeper issues within the region’s firefighting infrastructure. Water shortages in fire hydrants, aging equipment, and delayed resource replenishment have left crews and residents feeling abandoned. These challenges have raised serious questions about the state’s preparedness for increasingly frequent and severe wildfires.
“This has been years in the making,” one frustrated resident said. “We’ve had tons of warnings but not enough action. Now, we’re paying the price.” The sentiment is shared by many, including firefighters, who have expressed frustration at the lack of resources and planning. A fire chief on the scene admitted, “We’ve never seen anything like this before. We’re doing our best, but the system is failing us.”
The fires have also highlighted the disparity between communities with resources to defend themselves and those without. While some residents have pools and the means to use them in firefighting efforts, others are left with no such options, relying entirely on overstretched emergency services.
A Call for Change
The wildfires in Los Angeles County are a stark reminder of the growing challenges posed by climate change and the urgent need for systemic reform. The reliance on pool water, while innovative, should not be seen as a long-term solution. Instead, it underscores the need for significant investments in infrastructure, including upgraded water delivery systems and improved firefighting resources.
Residents and officials alike are calling for action. Investments in portable pumps, better training for firefighters on using alternative water sources, and community education on wildfire preparedness are just a few of the steps that could make a difference in future crises.
At the same time, the fires have highlighted the importance of community resilience. The willingness of residents to share their pools and work together to protect homes has been a silver lining in an otherwise devastating situation. “We’re all in this together,” one resident said. “If my pool can save my neighbor’s home, it’s worth it.”
Blue Wave has issued a recall affecting multiple above-ground swimming pool models after federal safety officials identified a potential drowning hazard involving children.
The recall, announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on December 18, covers approximately 13,400 Blue Wave brand above-ground pools that are 48 inches deep or taller and utilize an exterior compression strap as part of the pool’s frame system.
Reason for the Recall
The affected pools feature a compression strap positioned around the outside of the vertical support poles. While the strap is designed to provide structural stability, the CPSC determined that its placement may unintentionally create a foothold.
According to the agency, this foothold could allow children to climb into the pool, even when the ladder has been removed, creating a risk of unsupervised access and potential drowning.
No injuries or fatalities have been reported in connection with the recalled products at the time of the announcement.
Affected Models
The recall applies to the following Blue Wave above-ground pool models:
• Blue Wave 15-Ft Rd 48-In Active Frame Pool
• Blue Wave 18-Ft Rd 52-In Active Frame Pool
• Blue Wave 18-Ft Rd 52-In Dark Cocoa Wicker Frame Pool
• Blue Wave 24-Ft Rd 52-In Dark Cocoa Wicker Frame Pool
• Blue Wave Rustic Cedar 15-Ft Round 48-In Deep Frame Swimming Pool Package W/Cover
• Blue Wave Rustic Cedar 18-Ft Round 52-In Deep Frame Swimming Pool Package W/Cover
• Blue Wave 18-Ft Round 52-In Gray Rattan Swimming Pool Package W/Cover
• Blue Wave 18-Ft Round 52-In Espresso Wicker Swimming Pool Package W/Cover
• Blue Wave 15-Ft Round 48-In Navy Blue Frame Swimming Pool Package W/Cover
• Blue Wave 18-Ft Round 52-In Navy Blue Frame Swimming Pool Package W/Cover
• Blue Wave 15-Ft Round 48-In Aspen Swimming Pool Package W/Cover
• Blue Wave Mocha Wicker 18-Ft Round 52-In Deep Swimming Pool Package With Cover
• Blue Wave Mocha Wicker 24-Ft Round 52-In Deep Swimming Pool Package With Cover
• Blue Wave Laguna 15-Ft Round 48-In Deep Swimming Pool Package With Cover
• Blue Wave Laguna 18-Ft Round 52-In Deep Swimming Pool Package With Cover
All affected models share a common design feature: an exterior compression strap that encircles the pool’s vertical supports.
Sales Channels and Distribution
The recalled pools were sold nationwide from January 2021 through July 2025 through a mix of big-box retailers, sporting goods stores, and online marketplaces, including:
• The Home Depot
• Lowe’s
• Dunham’s Sports
• Amazon
• Walmart
• Wayfair
Retailers have been notified to halt sales of affected models and to direct customers to the manufacturer’s recall remedy.
What Dealers and Retailers Should Know
For dealers and retail partners, the recall highlights the importance of prompt inventory review and customer outreach. Any remaining unsold stock matching the recalled models should be removed from the sales floor and distribution channels immediately.
Retailers that sold affected units during the recall period may see an increase in customer inquiries regarding eligibility, repair kits, and interim safety measures. Clear communication at the point of contact will be critical, particularly around the distinction between structural components and ladders, which many consumers assume are the primary access risk.
Service professionals and retail staff should also be prepared to explain that the recall does not involve a full product replacement, but rather a manufacturer-provided modification designed to eliminate the foothold while maintaining frame integrity.
Manufacturer Remedy
Blue Wave is offering a free repair kit to affected pool owners. The kit replaces the exterior compression strap with a lower-profile system installed closer to ground level. Once the repair is completed, the original strap can be removed.
Until the repair is installed, the manufacturer and CPSC recommend that pool owners prevent unsupervised access to the pool area or drain the pool temporarily.
Dealers and service professionals should advise customers not to remove or cut the compression strap prior to installing the repair kit, as doing so could compromise the pool’s structural stability.
Poolsafe LLC, offers new mesh, removable safety fencing designed to be installed around any pool shape or size. Uses patented, transparent, large-hole ClearGuard™ Mesh for better visibility into the pool area, while also blending the fence into backyard. Lockable, self-closing Triton™ gate features a curved top bar to help prevent climbing. Unique Tri-Pod Truss system keeps gate aligned with daily usage. Available in 4ft and 5ft heights, in black, brown, beige, or gray colors.
https://poolsafe.com/
(888) 489-2282
Latham Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SWIM), the largest designer, manufacturer, and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia, and New Zealand, appoints Sean Gadd as the company’s new President and Chief Executive Officer as part of a CEO transition that will take effect on January 5, 2026. The appointment follows a comprehensive search as part of a succession planning process led by the Board and current CEO Scott Rajeski, who will be retiring from Latham and will serve as a special advisor to the company.
Sean Gadd comes to Latham following a 21-year career at James Hardie. He most recently served as President of North America since 2022, where he has had full P&L responsibility for James Hardie’s largest regional business. Prior to his role as President of North America, Sean served as Executive Vice President, North America, Commercial (2018-2022) and Executive Vice President, Markets and Segments, North America (2015-2018) at James Hardie, leading the front end of the business across product, marketing, and sales. Sean has been instrumental in spearheading James Hardie’s substantial organic net sales growth since 2022, driving material conversion and deeper market penetration through a refined go-to-market strategy targeting end-users via channel partners. Sean brings experience that is directly comparable to Latham’s material conversion and Sand State initiatives, and his demonstrated success in driving strategic growth will be invaluable for Latham and its shareholders.
James E. Cline, Chairman, commented, “Sean is known as a strong leader and brand-builder and has an impressive track record of driving growth at James Hardie. We are thrilled that he has accepted the CEO role at Latham, and the Board believes Sean will be able to leverage his robust commercial experience, sector knowledge, and branding expertise to accelerate our ability to continue to gain share and further the conversion to fiberglass from concrete pools.”
“I am pleased to be joining Latham and am looking forward to building on its achievements to date. This is an excellent opportunity for me to utilize my experience in the building products category to drive further market penetration and adoption of Latham’s top-quality products and greater recognition for its superior service standards,” Mr. Gadd commented.
Mr. Gadd will also become a member of Latham’s Board of Directors, replacing Mr. Rajeski, who is resigning from the Board concurrently with his retirement.
Mr. Cline commented, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to express our deep appreciation for the contributions that Scott Rajeski has made to Latham during his long tenure at the company, first as Chief Financial Officer and, since 2017, as President and Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership and that of his executive and operating teams, the company went public in April of 2021 and has experienced substantial growth, demonstrated resilience within a difficult industry environment, and built a strong financial position.”
Mr. Rajeski noted, “It has been a privilege to serve as the President & CEO of Latham alongside the talented executive and operating teams that we have at the company. Together, we have advanced the awareness and adoption of fiberglass pools and autocovers, while implementing production and related efficiencies that have streamlined our operations. I am proud to be retiring as CEO of Latham with the company in a strong financial position and in very capable hands. Throughout my conversations with Sean, I have been very impressed with his leadership capabilities and background, and I am confident that he will bring a unique skillset that will allow Latham to continue to outperform the industry, gain further traction in the important Sand States, and remain an acquirer of choice.”
About Latham Group, Inc.
Latham Group, Inc., headquartered in Latham, NY, is the largest designer, manufacturer, and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Latham has a coast-to-coast operations platform consisting of approximately 1,850 employees across around 30 locations.
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