No cuts to firefighting budgets

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As California continues to grapple with devastating wildfires that have devastated communities, Gov. Gavin Newsom is pushing back against claims the state is cutting funding for firefighters by launching a factual website. Newsom announced the Facts website on Twitter, hoping to provide much-needed information as the disaster has now become politicized. There is a lot of misinformation out there. A new website has just been launched to ensure the public has access to fact-based data about the southern California wildfires. FACTS: – California is not cutting our fire budget. We’ve nearly doubled the size of our firefighting force and built the world’s most… Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 11, 2025 One of the most popular lies is that California has cut firefighting funds. However, this is not the case. CalFIRE personnel have nearly doubled since 2019, from 5,829 to 10,741. In addition, CalFIRE's budget also increased significantly, from $2 billion to $3.8 billion during the same period. The numbers contradict claims the state has abandoned firefighting efforts. Another false claim suggests that California's poor management of forest lands is to blame for wildfires. In fact, national budgets for forest management have increased significantly. The annual budget expands to $2 billion from $200 million in 2018 and includes investments in wildfire resilience. California has also treated more than 700,000 acres of land for wildfire protection, and the number of prescribed fires has more than doubled in recent years. Misinformation about water supplies is also rampant. Contrary to claims that the state is short of water, Southern California is not short of water, with California's reservoirs reaching record levels. The state has sufficient water reserves to weather any drought, ensuring the ongoing fight against wildfires is fully supported. Governor Newsom’s fact-based approach aims to dispel these myths and restore trust and clarity in the face of tragedy. Like this: Like loading. ..Discover more from Baller AlertSubscribe and have the latest posts delivered to your email.

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