Trump blames California fires on 'gross mismanagement' as death toll rises

Federal disaster relief payments to California may be cut off, President Trump tweeted from France early Saturday, unless the state improves its forest management techniques:

California is currently suffering three major wildfires, one of which, the Camp Fire, has grown to become the most destructive recorded in state history. The blaze destroyed the entire town of Paradise, north of Sacramento — some 6,700 structures — and has killed at least nine people. About three dozen more remain missing.

"The magnitude of the destruction in Paradise and a year ago in Santa Rosa is such that it will take many years to recover," said state Sen. Jim Nielsen (R), whose district includes Paradise. "The sadness is that a lot of people who lost their homes will not be able to afford to return once the improvements are completed because the cost of new housing just keeps getting higher and higher."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up