California Governor Gavin Newsom Sets the Record Straight: No Cuts to Firefighting Budget

As California continues to grapple with devastating wildfires that have obliterated communities, Governor Gavin Newsom is hitting back against the claims that the state cut funding to firefighters by launching a facts website.

Newsom took to Twitter to announce the facts site, hopefully offering much-needed clarity as the disaster is now becoming political.

A lot of misinformation out there.

Just launched a new site to ensure the public has access to fact-based data around the Southern CA wildfires.

The TRUTH:
– CA did NOT cut our firefighting budget. We have nearly doubled the size of our firefighting army and built the world’s…

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 11, 2025

One of the most prevalent lies circulating is that California slashed money for firefighting. However, the facts reveal otherwise. The number of CalFIRE personnel has nearly doubled since 2019, rising from 5,829 to 10,741. In addition, CalFIRE’s budget has surged, growing from $2 billion to $3.8 billion during the same period. These figures contradict claims that the state has abandoned its firefighting efforts.

Another false narrative suggests California’s mismanagement of forest lands is to blame for the wildfires. In fact, the state’s budget for forest management has increased significantly. From $200 million in 2018, the annual budget has expanded to $2 billion, including investments in wildfire resilience. California has also treated over 700,000 acres of land for wildfire resilience, and prescribed fires have more than doubled in recent years.

Misinformation about water availability has also been rampant. Contrary to claims that the state ran out of water, California’s reservoirs are at record levels, with no shortage of water in Southern California. The state has sufficient water reserves to weather any droughts, ensuring the continued battle against wildfires remains well-supported.

Governor Newsom’s fact-based approach aims to dispel these myths, restoring trust and clarity in the face of tragedy.