By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-08 16:51:38 | Updated at 2025-01-09 07:20:00
14 hours ago
President-elect Donald Trump had previously warned California Governor Gavin Newsom that he needed to manage the state's forests better to prevent fires.
In a visit to The Golden State in November of 2018, the then president and newly elected governor both met following the devastating Camp Fire.
Speaking during their visit to Skyway Villa Mobile Home and RV Park in Paradise, California, Trump warned 'you've got to take care of the floors'.
Footage of their exchange has resurfaced online amid calls for Newsom to stand down as wildfires ravage parts of Los Angeles, amid complains about fire hydrants not having water and power lines not being shut off.
In the 2018 clip, he says: 'Get all of this cleaned out and protected. You've gotta take care of the floors. The floors of the forest.
'You look at other countries where they do it differently and its a whole different story. I was with the president of Finland and they spend a lot of time raking and cleaning.'
In 2021 Newsom signed a bill directing over $15 billion to combat wildfires, drought and other climate challenges facing California.
That climate package dedicated nearly $1 billion exclusively to help prevent wildfires, after the two most destructive on record happened within one year of each other.
Speaking during their visit to Skyway Villa Mobile Home and RV Park in Paradise, California, in 2018, seen here, Trump warned 'you've got to take care of the floors'
Footage of their 2018 exchange, seen here, has resurfaced online amid calls for Newsom to stand down as wildfires ravage parts of Southern California
The Camp Fire of November 2018 burned through over 153,000 acres and killed 85 people.
It came 11 months after the Tubbs fire of October 2017 which ripped through 5,636 structures and killed 22 people in Napa & Sonoma County.
Out of the top 20 most destructive wildfires in the state, 15 have happened since 2015 according to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Republicans at the time criticized the spending because it did not include money for water storage projects, like building new reservoirs.
Valiant firefighters are now battling to extinguish the fires that have engulfed the area and other parts of Southern California.
Newsom has said the state has deployed over 1,400 firefighting personnel to battle the blazes.
In a rare and urgent plea, the Los Angeles Fire Department asked all off-duty firefighters in the city to help.
Despite portions of his state being engulfed in flames, Newsom still had time for a photo op on Tuesday.
Despite large portions of his state being engulfed in flames, Newsom still had time for a quick photo op on Tuesday
A home burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, California on January 8, 2025
Replying to the footage of him observing the fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, California residents have asked him to resign.
One posted: 'California needs real leadership. You have failed us and taxed us into oblivion and turned most counties of this state red.
'We will celebrate when you leave and I hope you resign tomorrow.'
Another commented: 'We don’t feel better knowing you’re here. Go away. Resign. You’re a failure. You’re not a leader.'
Someone also said: 'Imagine being the most disliked governor in the country and still pushing the limits of egotism.
'Have you seen the comments on this post? Take a cue from Trudeau and step down with a shred of dignity. Californians deserve a fresh start.'
Thousands have made the desperate escape from their burning homes through flames, ferocious winds and clouds of smoke.
Replying to the footage of him observing the fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, California residents have asked him to resign
A firefighter watches the flames from the Palisades Fire burning homes on the Pacific Coast Highway
The latest update from the LA fire department warned the situation remains 'very dangerous' and that wind speeds are 'worsening'
In the frantic rush to safety, roadways became impassable in some areas after score of people abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some carrying suitcases.
Flames were being pushed on by Santa Ana winds which were topping out at 60mph in places on Tuesday and then increasing to 80mph on Wednesday morning.
Devastatingly, there is to be no respite which meteorologist Peter Mullinax saying the winds would continue throughout Wednesday and into Thursday.
Mullinax said: 'The winds are expected to continue throughout today and even into Thursday as well, providing very little in terms of any relief.'
Officials have also confirmed that two people have died in the fires in the Eaton area, the causes of their deaths remains unknown.
As the fires continue to rage and decimate areas, authorities have said that there is 'no possibility' of it being brought under control.
The latest update from the LA fire department warned the situation remains 'very dangerous' and that wind speeds are 'worsening'.
