Trump threatens funding cut for fire aid

LOS ANGELES: US President Donald Trump has threatened to cut funding to California for aid during wildfires that have burned across the state.

He tweeted that California governor Gavin Newsom had done a ‘‘terrible job of forest management’’, saying he came to the federal Government for help every year when fires raged. ‘‘No more,’’ he said.

Newsom tweeted back: ‘‘You don’t believe in climate change.

You are excused from this conversation.’’

Neither of the two major fires burning in California are on forest land. The state controls a small percentage of forest land; the federal Government manages most of it.

Firefighters working to contain a Southern California wildfire made significant headway yesterday, containing 50% of the blaze with the aid of cooler weather and lighter winds.

The Maria Fire, which broke out on Friday about 110km northwest of downtown Los Angeles, had destroyed two structures and burned more than 3800ha, the Ventura County Fire Department said.

All evacuation orders were lifted on Sunday, when the fire department said the blaze was 20% contained. More than 10,000 residents had been told to evacuate at the fire’s peak.

Southern California Edison has told state authorities that 13 minutes before the fire started, it began to reenergise a circuit near where flames first erupted.

It had shut off power in the area because of concerns an electrical mishap could spark a wildfire. Officials have said the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

Strong, dry desert winds have fuelled the Maria Fire and other destructive wildfires across the state this autumn.

The largest blaze, the Kincade Fire, in Sonoma County, north of San Francisco, was 76% contained yesterday after burning nearly 32,380ha and destroying more than 370 structures since it started on October 23, officials said. — AP/Reuters