It was after the Camp Fire when President Trump first blamed California's wildfires on forest mismanagement.
On Sunday, Trump tweeted that Gov. Gavin Newsom has "done a terrible job on forest management" and "I told him from the first day we met that he must 'clean' his forest floors regardless of what his bosses, the environmentalists, DEMAND of him."
The Governor of California, @GavinNewsom, has done a terrible job of forest management. I told him from the first day we met that he must "clean" his forest floors regardless of what his bosses, the environmentalists, DEMAND of him. Must also do burns and cut fire stoppers.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 3, 2019....putting these massive, and many, fires out. Great firefighters! Also, open up the ridiculously closed water lanes coming down from the North. Don't pour it out into the Pacific Ocean. Should be done immediately. California desperately needs water, and you can have it now!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 3, 2019Newsom responded on Twitter that because Trump doesn't believe in climate change, he's "excused from this conversation."
While the politicians throw shade, experts are yet again pointing out that these fires are weather driven/ Recent fires have been in grass and chaparral nowhere near forested land.
The Trump Administration budget for 2020 cuts $40 million from hazardous fuels reduction, while the state is fast-tracking work to lower fire risks.
Scott McClean with Cal Fire said in his first few days of office, Newsom charged the department with clearing brush and creating fire breaks in vulnerable areas like Orinda, Woodside and Los Gatos. He's also provided funding for new equipment.
"The prevention side is one of the most important sides of this coin," McClean tells KCBS. "But on the flip side, the governor's also allocated funds for 13 new fire engines. Not a replacement, but new, additional fire engines for the state, which we are starting to see roll in."
This Friday marks the anniversary of the Camp Fire igniting and decimating the town of Paradise.
Without a doubt, McClean said the fire management has improved compared to a year ago.
"Oh, heavens yes. There is no comparison whatsoever," McClean said. "And this governor hasn't even been in office for a year yet."
