President-elect Donald Trump has taken advantage of the tragic Los Angeles wildfires to reignite a policy dispute with California Governor Gavin Newsom, making a series of claims that experts have deemed false or misleading. Trump has held Newsom responsible for the fires, which have resulted in the loss of at least 10 lives, the evacuation of 180,000 individuals, and the destruction of over 10,000 structures. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated on Wednesday, “I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is to blame for this.”
The issue of water availability has come into focus recently, particularly after some fire hydrants in the Pacific Palisades area experienced temporary water shortages while firefighters were battling a massive blaze. However, three water policy experts have refuted the notion that the problem lies with water supply, as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power had adequately filled all water facility storage tanks prior to the fires. The experts pointed out that the city’s water infrastructure was not designed to combat major wildfires.
Following the depletion of hydrants, the water department cited excessive demand on the system as the cause of the problem. Due to challenges in refilling tanks promptly, water pressure decreased, hindering the flow of water to hydrants in hilly areas. Additionally, a reservoir in the Palisades that could have aided in maintaining water pressure was inactive when the fire broke out. Power outages further disrupted water flow to hydrants, as utilities shut off electricity to prevent additional fire risks, affecting water pumps. President Joe Biden mentioned in a public address that generators were being brought in by Cal Fire to restore pump operations.
Newsha Ajami, chief development officer for research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, highlighted the complexity of water management, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of the system. Trump’s criticism seems to reference a previous proposal from his administration aimed at redirecting water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to farms in the Central Valley and cities in Southern California, a plan that Newsom opposed due to environmental concerns.
Experts stress that the ongoing debate has no connection to the current wildfires, which are primarily driven by severe weather conditions and inadequate infrastructure resilience. Mark Gold, director of water scarcity solutions at the Natural Resources Defense Council, described linking the two issues as irresponsible and exacerbating an already critical situation. Gold, who previously worked in Newsom’s administration, pointed out that Southern California has ample water reserves available, including water sourced from various locations such as the Colorado River and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
In conclusion, the wildfires in Los Angeles have underscored the urgent need for improved wildfire preparedness and sustainable water management practices in California.
In a typical year, the allocation of water in California involves a thorough process that considers water availability, current storage levels, and the need to conserve water for potential future droughts, according to Erik Porse, the director of the California Institute for Water Resources. However, President Trump has accused California Governor Gavin Newsom of limiting water allocations to Southern California.
“Governor Gavin Newscum refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way,” Trump stated in a message on Wednesday. Trump further criticized Newsom for allegedly prioritizing the protection of a fish species called the smelt over the needs of the people in California.
Governor Newsom’s administration previously took legal action against the Trump administration in 2020 over the protection of the smelt species. However, Newsom’s communications director, Izzy Gardon, clarified that there is no official document known as the water restoration declaration, labeling Trump’s claim as baseless fiction. Gardon emphasized the Governor’s commitment to prioritizing public welfare and resource allocation for firefighters.
The Trump transition team declined to provide details or clarification regarding the supposed water restoration declaration referenced by the President. Subsequently, California officials and the Biden administration reached an agreement in December on a revised water distribution plan. This plan involves increased water exports from the Delta region to Southern California while reducing water exports to certain agricultural areas in the San Joaquin Valley.
In addition to his criticism of Governor Newsom, President Trump directed blame towards President Biden for challenges in delivering water to areas affected by fires. Trump asserted, “NO WATER IN THE FIRE HYDRANTS, NO MONEY IN FEMA. THIS IS WHAT JOE BIDEN IS LEAVING ME. THANKS JOE!” in a post on the Truth Social platform on Wednesday.
The ongoing discourse surrounding water allocation in California reflects the complex interplay of environmental conservation, agricultural needs, and political dynamics. As stakeholders navigate these issues, the focus remains on addressing the immediate challenges of water distribution while balancing the long-term sustainability of water resources in a state prone to periodic droughts and environmental concerns.
