California Gov. Newsom attempts to avoid responsibility by making a reservoir claim, but he is swiftly called out for trying to evade blame.
Governor Newsom claims state reservoirs are “completely full” despite discrepancies
California Gov. Newsom faced criticism on Sunday after stating that the state’s reservoirs were “completely full” when the LA fires broke out.
The claim quickly drew attention due to the situation at a county-run reservoir, which was notably drained at the time.
In an interview with NBC News, Newsom attempted to deflect criticism from President-elect Donald Trump over California’s water management during the wildfires.
He stated, “The reservoirs are completely full — the state reservoirs here in Southern California. That mis- and disinformation I don’t think advantages or aids any of us.”
However, reporter Jacob Soboroff pressed Newsom on the status of the Santa Ynez Reservoir, managed by LA County, which was dry.
This led Newsom to clarify that the reservoir in question was not part of the state system.
Newsom responds to concerns over drained reservoirs
“That’s exactly what triggered my desire to get the investigation to understand what was happening with that local reservoir,” Newsom said.
He then tried to separate the issue from the state-run system, claiming, “That was not a state system reservoir, which the president-elect was referring to.”
Newsom also expressed frustration over what he saw as misinformation, adding, “It’s inaccurate and incomprehensible to anyone who understands water policy in the state.”
Despite his defense, critics pointed out that water pressure issues were a key concern during the fires.
Investigation launched into Santa Ynez Reservoir
In response to concerns over the drained Santa Ynez Reservoir, Newsom announced an independent investigation into why it was empty.
The reservoir, which had been offline for repairs since February of the previous year, could store up to 117 million gallons of water.
The absence of sufficient water pressure was a critical issue when first responders struggled to manage the fires.
Low water pressure hindered efforts to fight the flames, further exacerbating the already dire situation.
California’s long-term water management challenges
Over a decade ago, California voters approved Proposition One to fund the construction of new reservoirs.
However, the state continues to face challenges with its water management infrastructure as it has not completed any of these projects.
During the fires, Newsom directed some of the blame toward local officials, accusing them of inadequate preparation and response to the wildfires.
The recent wildfires have devastated California, destroying over 12,300 homes and claiming the lives of at least 16 people
Efforts to contain the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires continue, as the state grapples with both the immediate and long-term consequences of the blazes.