generator

Mahama's parents were able to invest in a diesel generator for their six-bedroom house, meaning theirs was the only house in the town with lights.

Last week, the government banned all activities that involve the use of coal and firewood, as well as diesel generator use for non-emergency services.

One pump was completely destroyed in the blaze while another lost power during Southern California Edison’s planned electricity shutoffs, and it took hours to bring it back online with a generator, according to officials at the Calleguas Municipal Water District.

Cohen said electricity was cut to the pump at 2 p.m. and did not get a generator to restore operation until 11 p.m. the first day of the fire.

The water company said it installed a portable generator for that second pump, but it wasn’t clear how long that took and it did not respond to further questions from The Times.