The devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles have reignited criticism of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s water management and wildfire mitigation strategies. As the state grapples with the flames, these policies are set to come under scrutiny from the incoming Trump administration.
On Wednesday, Gov. Newsom joined President Biden for an emergency briefing in Santa Monica. He outlined preemptive measures taken to combat the fires, including the strategic placement of firefighting equipment ahead of the Santa Ana winds. Despite these efforts, the fires claimed five lives, left many injured, and consumed thousands of acres, destroying over 1,000 homes and businesses.
President-elect Donald Trump sharply criticized Newsom, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, for failing to implement measures to mitigate wildfire risks. Trump’s statement highlighted the governor’s decision not to sign a water restoration declaration, which, according to Trump, could have redirected excess water from Northern California to the fire-prone regions in the south. Trump characterized the ongoing destruction as “virtually apocalyptic.”
The criticism came amid reports of dry hydrants in Pacific Palisades, where the fire had spread uncontrollably across 12,000 acres by Wednesday afternoon, reaching Malibu. While state officials denied any water shortage in the affected areas, questions arose about the capacity of infrastructure to support the rapid water demands of firefighting efforts.
Trump vowed to address California’s water management, promising to “demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA!” His comments also reignited a long-standing debate over the state’s wildfire prevention strategies, including forest thinning, controlled burns, and logging—policies Trump has previously advocated.
Federal Funding and Policy Disputes
California has received significant federal disaster aid in recent years, including funds from Trump’s first administration. However, with Trump’s return to office, such generosity may be reevaluated. He has repeatedly threatened to withhold federal funding unless California adopts stricter wildfire prevention measures.
Newsom’s 2019 decision to reject a Trump administration proposal to increase water pumping from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has also been a contentious issue. While federal fisheries determined the plan would not harm endangered species, Newsom instead opted for a modified approach prioritizing the protection of Chinook salmon and the Delta smelt. Trump dismissed these measures, calling the smelt “a worthless fish” and accusing Newsom of neglecting Californians.
Critics argue that California’s forest management policies exacerbate wildfire risks. Edward Ring, co-founder of the California Policy Center, has pointed to excessive forest density as a key factor. Writing in City Journal, Ring highlighted how lawsuits and environmental regulations have impeded logging, grazing, and thinning, turning forests into “tinderboxes” over time.
Newsom Defends His Actions
Gov. Newsom responded to the crisis by deploying the National Guard and ordering the evacuation of 37,000 Los Angeles County residents. His spokesperson, Izzy Gardon, dismissed Trump’s water management criticisms as “pure fiction,” emphasizing the governor’s focus on protecting lives and ensuring firefighters have adequate resources.
Newsom has also implemented key components of the state’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, which emphasizes the use of prescribed burns to enhance forest health and adapt to the impacts of climate change. He positioned fire trucks, helicopters, and other equipment in high-risk areas earlier in the week, underscoring his proactive approach.
A Day of Personal and Public Loss
President Biden, standing beside Newsom, offered support to firefighters and emergency officials while sharing a personal loss: his son, Hunter Biden, learned Tuesday that his Pacific Palisades home had likely been destroyed in the fires. Despite this, Biden concluded with a note of hope, announcing the birth of his first great-grandchild.
“I’ll remember this day for a lot of the wrong reasons,” Biden remarked, encapsulating the blend of tragedy and resilience that has defined California’s battle against wildfires.