Gavin Newsom says Donald Trump is sending wildfire aid to California despite his public remarks

Aug. 21--Despite recent sniping, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday he and President Donald Trump have a good working relationship as the federal government provides aid to fight California wildfires.

His remarks come a day after Trump threatened to withhold federal money because California isn't doing enough to clear its forest floors. "Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!" the Republican president tweeted.

Trump has been sending money as the state battles hundreds of lightning-sparked fires, Newsom said Friday, the morning after he made his own public comments criticizing Trump at the Democratic National Convention.

He said he doesn't want Californians to worry that aid may not materialize.

"There's not phone call that I have made to the president where he hasn't quickly responded," the Democratic governor said. "He may make statements publicly, but the working relationship privately is an effective one."

Newsom spoke at a briefing with fire and emergency management officials and emergency responders as 12,000 firefighters battled blazes across the state, including two that are among the 10 worst in California history.

He said his administration has a memorandum of understanding to clear flammable vegetation in California forests.

"I am not convinced that the president was aware of that new memorandum of understanding that his administration signed with the state of California to collectively invest an unprecedented amount of resources to address the concern he highlighted," Newsom said. "Had he been aware of that, I'm not sure he would have made that statement, and I respect that the president has a lot on his plate."

Since August 15, an area larger than the state of Rhode Island has burned in California, said Shana Jones, the CalFire unit chief for Sonoma, Lake and Napa counties. Firefighters are making progress, but some communities are still threatened and under evacuation orders, she said.

"First responders have been stretched thin everywhere throughout the state. They continue to work hard, and are getting little rest," she said. "We're not out of the woods."

Southern California fires are largely under control, Newsom said, but fires in Northern California are straining the state's resources.

Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Texas, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Montana and other states are supporting California's firefighting efforts. Newsom said he's asking Canada and states as far as the East Coast for additional help. He has also requested a federal major disaster declaration.

Other nearby states are also battling fires, Newsom said, which limits the resources they can send to help California. Fear of spreading COVID-19 has also been an issue as California seeks more firefighters, he said.

When he toured evacuation centers yesterday, Newsom said he saw coronavirus precautions in action, including temperature checks and efforts to socially distance.

Meanwhile, hospitalizations continue to trend downward in California, which Newsom said shows progress in the fight against COVID-19.

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