President-elect Criticizes Water Management and Emergency Response as Wildfires Ravage California
Washington, DC [US], January 9: Amid the ongoing wildfire crisis devastating California, President-elect Donald Trump has launched a sharp critique against California Governor Gavin Newsom, blaming his administration’s policies for exacerbating the disaster.
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump accused Newsom of mismanaging water resources and prioritizing environmental conservation over public safety, particularly citing his refusal to sign a water restoration declaration.
Trump’s Accusations
“Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration that would have allowed millions of gallons of water to flow into California,” Trump stated. He alleged that Newsom prioritized protecting a smelt fish over addressing California’s water needs, calling the decision a failure that worsened the wildfire crisis.
He added, “Now the ultimate price is being paid. No water for fire hydrants, no firefighting planes—a true disaster.”
The Wildfire Situation
The wildfires, including the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, and Hurst Fire, have burned thousands of acres, destroyed over 1,100 structures, and forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate.
Key developments include:
- Palisades Fire: Over 5,000 acres burned in Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades neighborhood, with an estimated 1,000 structures destroyed.
- Eaton Fire: Spanning 2,227 acres in Altadena, this fire remains zero per cent contained, with two reported fatalities.
- Hurst Fire: Burning northeast of San Fernando, it has already engulfed 500 acres.
Emergency Response and Criticism
Trump criticized Newsom and Los Angeles officials for the lack of preparedness, claiming, “As of this moment, Gavin Newscum and his Los Angeles crew have contained zero per cent of the fire.”
Local officials acknowledged the scale of the crisis, with LAPD Chief James McDonnell stating, “There are not enough firefighters in LA County to address four separate fires of this magnitude.” He added that the LA County Fire Department was prepared for one or two major brush fires but lacked resources to combat multiple simultaneous incidents.
Newsom’s Defense and Actions
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to support affected communities and visited Pacific Palisades to meet with local fire officials. He emphasized the dangerous windstorm fueling the fires and urged residents to follow evacuation orders.
“This is a highly dangerous windstorm creating extreme fire risk. We’re already seeing its destructive impact. Our deepest thanks to firefighters and first responders,” Newsom said.
Trump’s Broader Criticism
In addition to targeting Newsom, Trump criticized outgoing President Joe Biden, stating, “No water in the fire hydrants, no money in FEMA. This is what Joe Biden is leaving me. Thanks, Joe!”
Impact and Outlook
As of Thursday morning, 245,000 customers were without power in Los Angeles County, according to poweroutage.us. Officials have urged residents to follow evacuation orders to protect themselves and first responders as the fires continue to rage.
With sustained winds and low humidity, the crisis highlights the pressing challenges of climate emergencies and the need for coordinated action to prevent further devastation.
