Debunking Wildfire Myths in California: Setting the Record Straight

California has faced unprecedented wildfires in recent years, leading to a deluge of misinformation. To counteract these misconceptions, Governor Gavin Newsom’s wildfire fact-checking initiative brings clarity and truth. Here, we’ll address the most prominent lies and provide the facts.

Claim: California Cut Firefighting Budgets

Fact Check: The assertion that California has cut firefighting budgets is misleading. While there was a reported reduction of $101 million in the firefighting budget in 2024 , overall funding for CalFIRE has increased over the years. The Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) estimates that total CalFIRE expenditure grew from $2.74 billion in the 2019-20 fiscal year to $4.43 billion in 2023-24 . Additionally, Governor Newsom has significantly invested in the state's firefighting force, boosting it to 12,000 personnel to combat devastating wildfires .

Claim: Wildfires Are Caused by California’s Mismanagement of Forest Lands

Fact Check: California has made substantial investments in forest management. The state treated more than 700,000 acres for wildfire resilience in 2023, with prescribed fires more than doubling between 2021 and 2023 . However, challenges remain. Reports indicate that CalFIRE has faced difficulties in fulfilling its responsibilities to prevent catastrophic wildfires, even with a historic budget . Additionally, a 20-year study confirms that California forests are healthier when subjected to prescribed burns or thinning, suggesting that ongoing management practices are beneficial .

Claim: Newsom is Rezoning Burned Areas for “Mass Apartments”

Fact Check: There is no substantial evidence to support the claim that Governor Newsom is working with developers to rezone burned areas for mass apartment constructions. This claim appears to be unfounded.

Claim: California’s Smelt Fish Policy Caused Southern California Wildfires

Fact Check: This claim lacks scientific basis. The policy regarding the protection of smelt fish is unrelated to water availability in Southern California and has no connection to the occurrence of wildfires.

Claim: California Ran Out of Water and Reservoirs Are Empty

Fact Check: Contrary to this claim, reservoirs in Southern California have maintained significant water levels. For instance, the Metropolitan Water District reported a record 3.8 million acre-feet of water in storage, sufficient to supply 40 million people for a year .

Claim: Fire Trucks Are Delayed in Sacramento for “Emissions Testing”

Fact Check: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that out-of-state fire trucks are delayed in Sacramento for emissions testing. Standard procedure involves a brief safety and equipment inspection upon arrival, which does not significantly impede deployment.

Claim: Firefighters Are Using Women’s Purses to Fight Fires

Fact Check: This claim is false. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) uses specialized canvas bags to extinguish small trash fires efficiently, not women's purses.

Claim: The Hollywood Sign Was on Fire

Fact Check: This rumor is entirely false. The Hollywood sign has not been affected by any recent wildfires.

Claim: The LAFD Is Recruiting the General Public to Fight Wildfires

Fact Check: California employs over 15,000 trained firefighting and public safety personnel. There is no initiative to recruit untrained members of the general public for wildfire containment efforts.

Claim: A Fire Stemmed from a “Satanic Ritual” at a Creepy Mansion

Fact Check: Public safety officials have found no evidence linking any wildfire to satanic rituals. Such claims are unfounded and lack credible support.

California’s Commitment to Combating Wildfires

Fact Check: California has mobilized extensive resources to combat wildfires, including over 10,000 emergency personnel and significant equipment such as fire engines, water tenders, bulldozers, helicopters, and air tankers . The state continues to invest in wildfire response and prevention, with the Governor's Budget reflecting a total of $4 billion, maintaining $2.5 billion in prior investments and committing an additional $1.5 billion over the next several years .

In summary, while California has made significant investments in wildfire prevention and response, some claims about budget cuts and mismanagement require nuanced understanding. It's essential to rely on credible sources and official reports to assess the state's efforts accurately.