President Trump blames devastating wildfires in California on ‘poor’ forest management, threatens to withhold payments

Nov. 10--President Trump blames "poor" forest management in California for the devastating wildfires that have taken at least nine lives and leveled a town that was home to 27,000 people.

The blaze has grown to nearly 140 square miles and destroyed more than 6,700 structures, including most of the buildings in the small town of Paradise.

Nine people have been found dead, including some who were found inside their cars after a desperate evacuation. Los Angeles County fire Chief Daryl Osby said Saturday that firefighters told him they were working in the toughest, most extreme conditions they had ever seen.

Trump issued an emergency declaration for federal funds for three counties, but later threatened to withhold payments as he criticized forest officials.

"There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor," Trump tweeted Saturday from Paris, where he is helping to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. "Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!"

Trump has commented about California wildfires in the past, tweeting three months ago that "wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which aren't allowing massive amounts of readily available water to be properly utilized. It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire from spreading!"

Fire officials told ABC News that Trump's assertions were not true. "We have plenty of water to fight these fires," Deputy California Fire Chief Scott McLean told ABC in August.

At least 200,000 people have been forced from their homes this week, including all the residents of celebrity-filled Malibu. Actor and "West Wing" Star Martin Sheen was found safe after son Charlie Sheen tweeted his concern.

"I cannot get ahold of my parents. Martin and Janet Sheen," Charlie Sheen tweeted Friday. "They are in the group, at the staging ground near Zuma Beach. If anyone has eyes on them, please let me know that they are safe and sound in the middle of this horrific scenario. Thank you in advance."

Martin Sheen told Fox 11 in California he evacuated his home and has been trying to reach the rest of his family.

"Emilio, Ramon, Renee, Charlie...we're fine. We're at Zuma Beach and will probably sleep in the car tonight. We're just fine and hope you guys are, too," Martin Sheen told the station.

Paradise was largely destroyed in just a day by flames that moved so fast there was nothing firefighters could do. The town is located about 180 miles northeast of San Francisco.

"The fire was so close I could feel it in my car through rolled up windows," said Rita Miller, who evacuated Paradise with her disabled mother.

With News Wire Services

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