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California Governor Gavin Newscom reportedly cut funding for wildfire and forest resilience by more than USD 100 million in California's 2024-25 state budget, signed in June. Gavin Newscom slashes USD 101 million from seven wildfire and forest resilience programs, according to an analysis by the Legislative Analyst's Office, reported Newsweek. These cuts targeted various initiatives, including CAL FIRE fuel reduction teams, state conservancies and forest management programs.

Los Angeles has been battling catastrophic wildfires since Tuesday, with over 10,000 structures destroyed and at least 10 fatalities reported. The crisis has intensified criticism of Newsom’s budget decisions, particularly the funding cuts for wildfire prevention programs.

Despite these reductions, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has seen its budget rise significantly under Newsom’s leadership, doubling from USD 1.1 billion in 2014 to USD 3 billion in 2023.

ALSO READ: Los Angeles Wildfires Claim 11 Lives; Firefighters Gain Control Over Blaze As Authorities Investigate Probable Causes

Breakdown of Budget Reductions

The Legislative Analyst's Office detailed the following cuts:

  • Fuel Reduction Teams: USD 5 million reduction, impacting vegetation management work by the California National Guard.

  • State Conservancies: USD 28 million cut aimed at expanding wildfire resilience.

  • Home Hardening Program: USD 12 million slashed from a pilot initiative designed to protect homes from wildfires.

  • Monitoring and Research: USD 8 million reduction, primarily affecting CAL FIRE and state universities.

  • Forest Legacy Program: USD 4 million cut, impacting landowner management practices.

  • Inter-Agency Forest Data Hub: USD 3 million reduction in funding.

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Prominent Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, have publicly criticised Governor Gavin Newsom. Trump, on his Truth Social platform, labelled the governor’s actions as responsible for the devastation, urging him to resign. He also accused Newsom of neglecting water restoration measures that could have mitigated the disaster.

A spokesperson for Gavin Newsom defended his wildfire response record, noting that CAL FIRE's budget had nearly doubled since he took office in 2019, reaching USD 3.8 billion for 2024-25. The department's personnel also increased from 5,829 to 10,741 during his tenure.

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