California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday attempted to make sense and dodge responsibility by saying state reservoirs were “completely full” at the time of the Los Angeles fires, even though county-run reservoirs were being drained.
Newsom made the shocking remarks, referring to President-elect Donald Trump's criticism of the state's water management in the face of hell.
“The reservoir is completely full, the state reservoir here in Southern California. I don't think that false and disinformation benefits or helps any of us,” Newsom said on Sunday's “Meet the Reservoir.” He told NBC News in a prerecorded interview that aired on “The Press.''
Reporter Jacob Soboroff pointed out how the Santa Ynez Reservoir, run by Los Angeles County, is drying up and pressed Newsom for action. This also prompted Newsom's investigation.
“That's exactly what sparked my desire to have research understand what's going on in our local reservoirs,” Newsom said.
“The president-elect was referring to smelt in the Delta, not in the state's reservoirs…It's inexcusable because it's inaccurate,” the governor said, noting that water pressure is the main issue causing the decline. He said it as if he had missed it. When the fire broke out last week.
“It's also something that people who understand state water policy don't understand,” Newsom said.
President Trump last week slammed Governor Newsom's management of California in connection with the wildfires, saying that “millions of gallons of water from excess rain and snowmelt from the north are draining much of California each day.” They refused to allow it to flow into the area.” Area currently on fire. ”
President Trump claimed last week that Newsom vetoed the policy because of his desire to save the smelt. local officials deniedclaimed that it has nothing to do with reservoir management.
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On Friday, Newsom sent a letter to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works announcing an independent investigation into how the Santa Ynez Reservoir was depleted.
The reservoir had been out of service since at least February last year due to a leak and repairs to its cap. The facility could store up to 117 million gallons of water.
first responders Suffering from low water pressure As demand for water skyrocketed to put out the apocalyptic-looking blaze.
California over 10 years ago Voters approved Proposition 1 There were plans to build new reservoirs, but ten years later none of those projects have been completed.
Throughout the wildfires and the political frenzy that coincided with them, Newsom has often chosen to shift at least some of the blame to local officials for their lack of preparedness and response to the massive blazes that hit Los Angeles County.
During an interview with NBC, Newsom urged Trump to visit California to inspect the damage, something Vice President-elect J.D. Vance said the president-elect is eager to do.
“I called on him to come out and look at himself,” Newsom said, referring to a letter he sent to Trump last week. “We want to do it with an open-handed spirit, not a clenched fist.”
Trump and Newsom have clashed in the past over their response to California's wildfires.
So far, the latest inferno has destroyed more than 12,300 homes and killed at least 16 people. Officials are still battling fires in the Palisades, Eaton and Hearst.
