Newsom touts investment in Cal Fire, partly blames climate change for fires

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE ) – Governor Newsom spoke about how the state is combating the current fires burning in California at a press conference on Wednesday at the Cal Fire aviation management unit near Sacramento, partly blaming climate change for California’s fire season.

Newsom says it’s a sobering time to shape an agenda to address the underlying issues facing California.

“That’s the burning of fossil fuels, the burning of oil and gas, it’s not complicated.”

This year California has seen fewer fires than the five-year average, but 197,000 more acres burned than last year.

Cal Fire Captain and Director Joey Tyler says conditions created this year’s unique fire season – the late rains, healthy snow back, high heat, and winds.

“It is largely because of the heat, the drying of the fuels, and the winds… that his vegetation has burned so rapidly,” Tyler said.

Tyler said that “while the acres are big, the fatalities are zero,” and that’s because of the technology and resources Cal Fire has.

Newsom touted a $2.3 billion investment into the state’s fire suppression fleet, the hundreds of AI-assisted fire alert cameras, and says they are working to meet vegetation control targets, but nothing can compete with Mother Nature.

Newsom also answered questions about Prop 36 and other ballot initiatives.

When asked whether he would consider running against Vice President Kamala Harris if the time came, he answered emphatically, no.

“[I am] focused on supporting this campaign, this candidate. He’s a man of character decency and honor. Contrast that to the darkness that is Trump,” Newsom said.

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