On Twitter, former President Donald Trump has blamed California Governor Gavin Newsom’s water policies for the state’s wildfires. Trump claimed that Newsom’s policies “don’t allow enough water to be released into rivers and oceans” and that this has led to “a massive amount of dry fuel” that is burning in the fires.

Newsom has enacted several water policies since taking office in 2019. These policies include:

• A ban on fracking, which is a method of extracting oil and gas that can contaminate water supplies.
• A requirement that new buildings install water-efficient fixtures and appliances.
• A plan to invest $5.3 billion in water infrastructure, including water storage and conveyance projects.

These policies are designed to protect California’s water resources and ensure that the state has a reliable water supply in the future.

There is no evidence to support Trump’s claim that Newsom’s water policies have caused or exacerbated California’s wildfires. In fact, the vast majority of California’s wildfires are started by human activity, such as campfires, arson, and power lines.

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), 95% of wildfires in California are human-caused. The remaining 5% are caused by natural factors, such as lightning.

The severity of California’s wildfires is primarily due to the state’s climate. California has a Mediterranean climate, which is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. This climate creates ideal conditions for wildfires to start and spread.

In addition, California’s forests are densely populated with trees and other vegetation. This vegetation provides fuel for wildfires, and it can make it difficult for firefighters to contain the fires.

Trump’s claim that Newsom’s water policies are to blame for California’s wildfires has been widely criticized by experts. Fire scientists, environmentalists, and even some Republicans have said that there is no evidence to support Trump’s claim.

For example, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) said that “Trump’s claim is not supported by the science.” UCS pointed out that “the vast majority of wildfires in California are human-caused, and the state’s water policies have not been shown to have any significant impact on the frequency or severity of wildfires.”

Some experts have also said that Trump’s claim is politically motivated. They believe that Trump is trying to deflect blame from his own policies, which have been criticized for exacerbating the climate crisis.

There is no evidence to support Trump’s claim that Newsom’s water policies have caused or exacerbated California’s wildfires. The vast majority of wildfires in California are human-caused, and the state’s climate is the primary factor that contributes to the severity of the fires.

Trump’s claim is politically motivated and is not supported by the facts. It is important to be aware of the facts surrounding California’s wildfires and to not be misled by false claims.