Poll Finds Californians Blame Newsom for Wildfires

The recent wildfires in California, which have been described as the deadliest in the state's history, have devastated over 80,000 acres, destroyed 4,000 homes, and resulted in at least 35 deaths. A poll indicates that nearly half of Californians hold Governor Gavin Newsom responsible for the disaster, citing his controversial budget cuts that slashed funding for fire resilience programs shortly before the fires. Critics have also pointed to inadequate forest management practices, such as halted prescribed burns and a lack of accessible water supply for firefighting efforts. Additionally, rising insurance costs and the withdrawal of major insurers from the market have left many homeowners vulnerable. As the situation worsens with ongoing high-risk fire weather, calls for Newsom's resignation are growing, fueled by widespread frustration over perceived leadership failures. Meanwhile, the state continues to grapple with the fallout from these catastrophic events amidst demands for accountability from local and federal officials.