Wildfires are raging in the Los Angeles area, and the president-elect blames California Governor Gavin Newsom for that On Wednesday (January 8), Donald Trump Newsom took to social media to criticize the fire's destruction, which has so far killed two people and displaced thousands.

Governor Newsom's office He reacts to Trump's message

Trump delivered his hard-hitting drag via Truth Social. He began by addressing Newsom as "Governor Gavin Newscum," then alleged that the California wildfire politician refused to sign a "water restoration declaration." Trump wrote that the legislation would allow "millions of gallons of water" from rain and melting snow in the north to flow to other parts of the state each day. "... including areas currently burning in an almost apocalyptic manner," added the president-elect.

Donald Trump also accused Gov. Gavin Newsom of wanting to protect an endangered species of fish called the Delta more than Californians. The species lives in the Sacramento-San Joaquin river delta. In 2019, environmentalists and Cali officials argued against adding more water to the river because it could lead to the extinction of salmon, smelt and steelhead. At the time, the Trump Administration wanted to send more water to producers in the center of the state. Note that it is unclear whether Trump's water policy recommendations would have prevented California's current wildfires or helped contain them.

“Now he is paying the ultimate price. I'm going to demand that this incompetent governor STOP POURING the beautiful, clean, fresh water into CALIFORNIA! He is to blame for this. On top of all that, no water for fire hydrants, no firefighting planes. A real disaster," Trump said.

After Trump's post went viral, the governor's office set the record straight. Newsom's director of communications, Izzy Gardon, said USA Today that there is no document called "water recovery declaration". Gardon called that part of Trump's message "pure fiction." In addition, the director of communications told how the governor of California is concentrating his efforts on the fire.

"The governor is focused on protecting people, not playing politics, and making sure firefighters have all the resources they need," Gardon added.

Newsom canceled a planned appearance at former President Jimmy Carter's funeral on Thursday (January 9).

What we know about the California wildfires

While Trump was out at the Truth Social, California residents were forced to evacuate at least three separate fires, According to The New York Times. The flames started on Tuesday and spread quickly thanks to dry weather and winds, including Santa Ana. The Associated Press said dry winds gusted to 80 mph Wednesday morning. Now, weather experts are predicting gusts of up to 100 mph in the mountains and foothills, making it a challenge to contain California's wildfires.

The Los Angeles area is covered in a thick cloud of ash and smoke as thousands of firefighters battle the blaze. The local fire department is asking other off-duty and out-of-state firefighters to join them in their plight. However, more than 1,000 structures, including houses, are said to have been destroyed in 22 square kilometers, per AP.

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