""While the Trump administration has been busy slashing U.S. Forest Service budgets by 10% and cutting 25% of firefighting support staff, California has worked to become the nation's de facto wildfire response leader," Newsom said in a statement. He reported that at least 15 major fires are burning over 350,000 acres on national forest and Bureau of Land Management lands in the state."
""As federal lands burn across the state, California has stepped into the breach with billions in funding, thousands of personnel, and the world's largest aerial firefighting fleet to compensate for Washington's retreat from environmental stewardship," the governor said. California manages approximately 3% of forests in the state, compared to 57% under federal management. The 100 vegetation management projects were authorized under the state of emergency proclaimed earlier this year."
Governor Gavin Newsom fast-tracked more than 100 wildfire prevention projects deploying state resources to protect communities as federal wildfire support declined. State officials reported several of the largest 2025 fires burning on federally managed lands, including the Garnet Fire in Fresno County threatening 2,000-year-old sequoias. Newsom cited U.S. Forest Service budget cuts of 10% and reductions of 25% in firefighting support staff. At least 15 major fires burned over 350,000 acres on national forest and BLM lands. California committed billions, thousands of personnel, and the world's largest aerial firefighting fleet. The vegetation projects were authorized under a state emergency, and a model executive order was sent to the White House.
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