Gavin Newsom cut LA fire department budget by $100 million – EVOL

California Governor Gavin Newsom has come under fire after reports revealed his administration cut more than $100 million from wildfire prevention program in the state’s fiscal 2025 budget.

The move, signed into law in June, has raised serious concerns about the state’s preparedness as wildfires devastate communities across California.

According to a Newsweek report, the budget slashed $101 million from seven “wildfire and forest resilience” initiatives.

Reductions include a $5 million cut to CAL FIRE’s fuel reduction teams, leaving $129 million allocated for these efforts. These teams are critical to managing vegetation and reducing the risk of wildfires spreading.

The cuts also impacted the California National Guard’s “vegetation management work,” which focuses on removing flammable materials to prevent fires.

Additional reductions included $28 million from various conservancies for wildfire resilience projects and $8 million from fire monitoring and research programs.

Newsom Administration Defends Budget Decisions

In response to mounting criticism, Governor Newsom’s office dismissed allegations of negligence. A spokesperson called reports of the funding cuts a “ridiculous lie” and defended the administration’s track record on wildfire prevention.

“The governor has doubled the size of our firefighting army, built the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet, and the

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