① Wildfires in Southern California continue, with limited progress in firefighting efforts. Trump criticizes California Governor Newsom for insufficient forest protection, stating that the Los Angeles area is left "desolate." ② There are a total of 105 wildfires across California, with a burned area exceeding 163 square kilometers, causing the destruction of 12,300 buildings, and the evacuation of 0.15 million residents in Los Angeles County.
According to the Financial News Agency on January 14 (Editor Huang Junzhi), wildfires continue to ravage Southern California, and firefighting efforts have made limited progress despite lasting a week. Incoming president Trump used this situation once again to criticize his political opponent, California Governor Gavin Newsom, stating that California had the opportunity to "protect their forests" amid the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
He stated on a show: "The problem is that it’s too dry here, it’s always been dry there, and now it’s just a mess. They could have, you know, protected their forests, and as I said, they have to do that."
Trump also mentioned in a recent interview that due to the fires, the Los Angeles area is "left desolate."
"It looks like a bomb, a huge bomb was thrown on top of them. The only things still standing are a few chimneys. By the way, most of the chimneys have also been destroyed," he added.
According to the data from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection on the evening of the 12th, there are a total of 105 wildfires large and small across California, with a total burned area exceeding 163 square kilometers. The larger Eaton Fire is only 27% contained, while the Palisades Fire is only 13% contained. The wildfires have resulted in the destruction of over 12,300 buildings.
Currently, Los Angeles County has evacuated 0.15 million residents, of which more than 700 are staying in temporary shelters. According to media reports, the "Santa Ana winds" are expected to return on the 13th, with the 14th being a very dangerous day. This may exacerbate the spread of the fires and even ignite new ones, presenting new challenges for firefighting efforts.
The Santa Ana winds are a typical seasonal strong wind occurring in Southern California, USA. This wind is known for its intense dryness and often triggers wildfires, referred to as the "devil winds."
As Trump made the above remarks, he has recently criticized California officials for their handling of the fires in the Los Angeles area, directly targeting his "most troublesome" political opponent, Democratic California Governor Newsom.
For context, since Trump first took office in 2017, conflicts have occurred between Newsom and Trump, as their political ideologies are "diametrically opposed." For this incoming president, California now represents everything he despises: promoting diversity, advancing eco-friendly policies, encouraging electric Autos, and embracing immigrants.
Moreover, in every election cycle, the state overwhelmingly supports the Democratic presidential candidate: last November, Democratic presidential candidate Harris won California's votes. Newsom is also a potential competitor for the Democratic presidential nomination in the 2028 election.
Last week, Trump blasted, "One of the best and most beautiful places in America is being leveled. This is ashes, Gavin Newsom should resign. This is all his fault!"
In response to Trump's criticism, Newsom pleaded on a program last weekend for Trump to visit the Los Angeles fire site and not to politicize the tragedy. He also expressed concern that Trump would stop aid to California for disaster relief once he takes office.
He pointed out that he invited Trump to inspect the disaster area "in the spirit of open arms rather than clenched fists," but has yet to receive a response. Furthermore, if Trump really stops assistance, it would actually threaten the emergency personnel who are on the front lines fighting the fires in California.
"He did it in Utah. He did it in Michigan. In 2018, before I took office as governor, he did this to California until he found out that people in Orange County voted for him, and only then did he decide to give them money," Newsom said in an interview.
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