Stop Believing the Lies About California’s Wildfires and Water Issues So many people simply don’t understand what’s actually happening in California. The blame game, especially targeting Governor Gavin Newsom, has become a favorite pastime for Republicans and social media opportunists. The arguments they push don’t hold up to facts. Here’s the reality: - Water Management: The Delta Smelt Myth One of the most repeated (and baseless) claims is that maintaining river flows to protect endangered species like the delta smelt in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is causing water shortages in Los Angeles. This is flat-out false. LA’s water comes from sources like the Colorado River, local groundwater, and major reservoirs such as Castaic Lake, not the Delta. Reservoir levels remain healthy. As of January 7, 2025, Shasta Lake and Lake Oroville were at 78% and 71% capacity, both above historical averages. Castaic Lake, a major supplier for LA, is over 70% full. Blaming environmental protections for water shortages is not just misleading—it’s a distraction from the real issues like aging infrastructure in the city of LA and increased urban demand. - Forest Management: Misplaced Responsibility Another favorite talking point is that California’s wildfire crisis is somehow Newsom’s fault due to "poor forest management." But here’s the truth: California has 33 million acres of forest, and the state only manages 3% of that land. The federal government controls 57%, and the remaining 40% is privately owned. While Newsom has invested heavily in fire prevention programs and strict regulations for private landowners, the federal government has primary responsibility for most of California’s forests. (the same federal government that saw many devastating wildfires under President Trump). Federal funding for proactive forest management is not where it needs to be. Blame Congress. Ironically, it’s often Republicans who oppose the very state regulations designed to improve fire prevention on private lands, calling them "overregulation."