HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Access to water to fight wildfires is a problem seen in Maui in 2023 and again on a massive scale across Los Angeles. Officials urge residents to stock up as they would for hurricane season, especially if they are in a Public Power Safety Shutoff area. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Hawaii's power companies and many nationwide have turned to a tool meant to reduce wildfire risk from active lines on red-flag warning days. LA inferno likely to hike Hawaii insurance HECO calls it the Public Safety Power Shutoff Program or PSPS, but that creates a potential problem when it comes to water due to so many resources relying on electric pumps. "It'll affect the ability of water systems to operate. It'll affect the ability of all kinds of first responders," said Darren Pai, HECO spokesperson. Pai said it will also affect what comes out of the tap if you're in a prolonged PSPS whether or not a fire breaks out. "Once the system the red flag is called is over with, and if they've had to turn off the power to any part of the Leeward Coast, they're still going to have to go back and visually inspect the lines to ensure there are no problems. That can take several days," said Kathleen Pahinui, Board of Water Supply. The BWS recommends each person has one gallon of water per person, per day and said there should be a five-day supply minimum. During hurricane season, you should have two weeks supply. "One of the first things we did was ask other utilities, other places in the country that have done this kind of thing, you know what? What are some of the things that you've learned, one of the very first lessons that they shared was you need to coordinate with, you know, other utilities, water systems," Pai added. Hawaii Senator Hirono questions Gabbard’s experience, other Trump nominees KHON2 checked with all counties about water during PSPS shutdowns and they said they've been going to meetings and having tabletop exercises with HECO to work out the kinks. Hawaii County "We have backup generators pre-positioned at key locations and can move more, plus they top off (county) water tanks as soon as a Red Flag Warning is announced" even before a PSPS kicks in. They will also ask customers to "reduce water use to essential needs only to preserve as much water in the system to fight fires." Maui County "The Department of Water Supply tops off (their) water storage tanks and has emergency generators stationed at critical locations to continue pumping water" for firefighting. Oahu The BWS worked with the Honolulu Fire Department to place generators at key strategic leeward locations. They are also monitoring the weather. If red-flag conditions arise, they start topping off leeward reservoirs, which usually will provide enough water for about 24 hours. KHON2 is still waiting to hear back from Kauai County but its electricity electricity cooperative has worked closely with other county agencies and first responders on its safety power-downs. Check out more news from around Hawaii "If you have prepared your home or your business for a hurricane, then you are prepared for a Public Power Safety Shutoff in both scenarios, you know, you're looking at being potentially without power for an extended period of time."