As wildfires continue to ravage Southern California, President-elect Donald Trump has taken to social media to blame state leaders, particularly California Governor Gavin Newsom, for the crisis. In a series of posts on his Truth Social account, Trump accused Newsom of prioritizing environmental policies over public safety and called for his resignation. He also claimed that FEMA lacked the funds necessary to respond to the escalating wildfires.
Trump specifically pointed to an alleged “water restoration declaration” that Newsom supposedly refused to sign, which Trump claimed would have directed millions of gallons of water to areas currently being consumed by flames. According to Trump, Newsom’s decision was influenced by a desire to protect a small fish species, known as the smelt, rather than prioritizing the safety of residents. However, Newsom’s office quickly refuted this claim, stating that the “water restoration declaration” mentioned by Trump does not actually exist and is purely fictional.
The reference to the water restoration declaration appears to stem from Trump’s administration’s 2019 proposal to redirect water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to Central Valley farms and urban areas in Southern California. This proposal faced legal challenges from California officials and environmentalists who argued that it would harm wildlife in the Delta, including the smelt fish. In response to these concerns, President Biden’s administration, in conjunction with Newsom, endorsed new regulations aimed at balancing water distribution to Southern California while also protecting local wildlife.
Despite Trump’s claims that his proposed changes could have mitigated the wildfires, officials overseeing Southern California’s water supply have dismissed this assertion. Mark Gold, the water scarcity director for the Natural Resources Defense Council and a member of the Metropolitan Water District Board, stated that the wildfires were primarily fueled by dry vegetation resulting from a lack of recent rainfall in the region. He emphasized that Southern California currently has ample water supply due to previous years of decent rains, and Trump’s proposed water redirection would not have addressed the underlying causes of the wildfires.
Additionally, Trump raised concerns about a lack of water in fire hydrants, referencing instances where hydrants ran dry in parts of Los Angeles, such as Pacific Palisades. The CEO and chief engineer of the L.A. Department of Water and Power, Janisse Quiñones, acknowledged the issue at a press conference, explaining that three 1-million-gallon water tanks in the area had run dry, leading to reduced water pressure for fire hydrants at higher elevations. This situation highlighted the challenges faced by firefighters in accessing sufficient water resources to combat the wildfires effectively.
Overall, the ongoing wildfires in Southern California have sparked a contentious debate between political leaders and environmental advocates regarding water management, public safety, and emergency response strategies. While Trump has sought to place blame on state officials like Governor Newsom, experts and officials in the region have emphasized the complex nature of the wildfires and the need for comprehensive solutions that address both immediate firefighting challenges and long-term environmental sustainability. The unfolding crisis serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for coordinated efforts to protect communities, wildlife, and natural resources in the face of escalating climate-related disasters.
