California Governor Gavin Newsom has come under fire after reports revealed his administration cut more than $100 million from wildfire prevention program in the state’s fiscal 2025 budget.
The move, signed into law in June, has raised serious concerns about the state’s preparedness as wildfires devastate communities across California.
According to a Newsweek report, the budget slashed $101 million from seven “wildfire and forest resilience” initiatives.
Reductions include a $5 million cut to CAL FIRE’s fuel reduction teams, leaving $129 million allocated for these efforts. These teams are critical to managing vegetation and reducing the risk of wildfires spreading.
The cuts also impacted the California National Guard’s “vegetation management work,” which focuses on removing flammable materials to prevent fires.
Additional reductions included $28 million from various conservancies for wildfire resilience projects and $8 million from fire monitoring and research programs.
Newsom Administration Defends Budget Decisions
In response to mounting criticism, Governor Newsom’s office dismissed allegations of negligence. A spokesperson called reports of the funding cuts a “ridiculous lie” and defended the administration’s track record on wildfire prevention.
“The governor has doubled the size of our firefighting army, built the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet, and the state has increased forest management ten-fold since he took office,” the spokesperson told Fox News.
Newsom’s office emphasized that the state’s investments in wildfire mitigation remain robust, pointing to broader efforts to address climate change and improve firefighting capabilities.
Criticism Extends to Los Angeles Leadership
The controversy over wildfire preparedness is not limited to the state level. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is also facing backlash after cutting $17.6 million from the Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LAFD) budget in the city’s latest financial plan.
Critics argue that these budgetary decisions reflect misplaced priorities, especially as California faces increasingly severe and destructive wildfires.
Some have called for an investigation into the budget cuts, while others are demanding Mayor Bass’s resignation, citing a lack of leadership during the ongoing crisis.
Devastating Impact of the Fires
The wildfire season in California has been catastrophic. Over 150,000 residents have been forced to evacuate, and damages are estimated to reach tens of billions of dollars.
At least 16 people have lost their lives, and thousands of homes, businesses, and other structures have been destroyed.
The Pacific Palisades fire, one of the most destructive blazes, has burned through neighborhoods in Los Angeles, including Brentwood, Encino, and areas near the Getty Center.
High winds and dry conditions have fueled the flames, making containment efforts exceedingly difficult. Firefighters on the front lines face significant challenges, including limited resources and dry fire hydrants in some areas.
The reduced funding for wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts has only intensified the pressure on emergency responders.
Calls for Accountability and Reform
The budget cuts have sparked widespread outrage and calls for greater accountability from state and local leaders. Critics argue that reducing funding for wildfire prevention is shortsighted and undermines public safety, especially as wildfires become more frequent and severe due to climate change.