California is once again ablaze, with catastrophic wildfires tearing through Los Angeles and surrounding areas, leaving five dead and forcing over 100,000 residents to evacuate.
Critics, including former President Donald Trump, are pointing to years of mismanagement under Governor Gavin Newsom as a key factor in the state’s inability to prepare for or combat such disasters effectively.
Firefighters Battle Without Resources
The ongoing wildfires have reduced neighborhoods in Los Angeles, including Pacific Palisades, to ash, with the flames fueled by parched conditions and the notorious Santa Ana winds. As the fires raged, firefighters faced an alarming lack of water pressure in hydrants across the city.
By 3 a.m. Wednesday, three critical 1-million-gallon water tanks in the area were completely drained, leaving emergency crews scrambling to fight the infernos.
President Joe Biden ordered 10 Navy helicopters to assist with firefighting efforts.
Trump Slams Newsom’s Water Policies
Former President Trump blasted Governor Newsom for prioritizing environmental causes, such as protecting the endangered smelt fish, over providing adequate water supplies to Southern California.
Trump pointed to Newsom’s refusal to sign a 2019 “water restoration declaration” proposed by the Trump administration, which aimed to redirect water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to farms and cities in Southern California.
“Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration… to protect an essentially worthless fish,” Trump wrote. “Now the ultimate price is being paid. There’s no water for fire hydrants or firefighting planes.”
Newsom’s office dismissed Trump’s claims, with his spokesperson labeling the allegations as “pure fiction” and stating that the governor remains focused on battling the blazes and protecting lives.
Years of Neglect and Mismanagement
Critics have long warned that California’s fire prevention and water management policies would lead to disaster.
Reports and audits over the past decade have identified a range of issues, from insufficient brush clearing and outdated utility equipment to restrictions on water usage.
Many of California’s largest wildfires in recent years have been linked to uninsulated power lines and outdated transformers, with sparks from downed lines igniting dry vegetation.
Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) joined the chorus of criticism, calling California’s policies a “complete failure of Democrat governance.” He emphasized the state’s failure to store water from abundant snowpacks and rainfall, instead allowing it to flow out to sea in efforts to protect endangered species like the snail darter and smelt.
Former Bush administration official Bobby Charles labeled California a “failed state,” citing its inability to maintain basic infrastructure, such as electrical grids and forest management programs.
A Burning State of Emergency
Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency, unlocking additional resources for firefighting efforts, but many question whether these measures come too late.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has been criticized for imposing strict regulations on brush clearing, limiting preventive efforts even as vegetation accumulates during dry seasons.
Environmental watchdogs have also called out California’s Public Utilities Commission for failing to enforce upgrades on power equipment in high-risk fire zones.
In a 2022 audit, the commission was criticized for lacking oversight and accountability, leaving utility companies like PG&E unprepared to prevent disasters.
The Human Cost
As the fires continue to spread, thousands of Californians have been displaced, with many facing the loss of their homes.
Roads remain clogged as evacuees flee, and the death toll has climbed to five, with countless others at risk.
The firestorm is still raging.