California's embattled Governor Gavin Newsom has cut funding allocated to wildfires this year by more than $100 million, a review of the state's budget reveals.
Left-wing Paul's 2025 budget, signed in June, cut $101 million from seven “wildfire and forest resiliency” programs. According to Newsweek magazine.
This includes CAL FIRE's current $129 million budget for fuel reduction teams, including funds used for “vegetation management operations” by the National Guard aimed at reducing the threat of fire ignition and spread. This includes a reduction of $5 million from
Other related cuts include:
- $28 million will be donated by conservation organizations in multiple states to be used for wildfire resiliency.
- $12 million from the “Harden Homes” pilot program to make homes more resilient to wildfires.
- $8 million in fire monitoring and research spending, most of which goes to Cal Fire and state universities.
- $4 million from the Forest Heritage Program to encourage landowner property management.
Newsom's office called reports of fire protection budget cuts a “ridiculous lie.”
“Since taking office, the governor has doubled the size of our fire service, built the world's largest aerial firefighting team, and the state has increased forest management tenfold,” Newsom spokeswoman Izzy Gurdon said. Fox News.
Stay up to date with NYP's coverage of horrific fires in the Los Angeles area
At least 150,000 Southern California residents have been forced to evacuate their homes as wildfires continue to rage in the Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas.
At least 11 people were killed and thousands of structures were destroyed.
CAL FIRE did not return the message.
