California Governor Newsom Urges Trump To Match State Forest Management Amid Nine Active Wildfires

California Governor Gavin Newsom has sharply criticized President Donald Trump for inadequate federal investment in wildfire prevention and response on federal lands, which make up 57% of the state's forest area. Newsom proposed a model executive order titled "Make America Rake Again," urging the federal government to match California’s $350 million investment in forest management, including prescribed burns and thinning, to better protect communities from catastrophic wildfires. He highlighted that half of the new fires recently started on federal land and condemned the diversion of California National Guard firefighting crews to Los Angeles for protests, which has left firefighting efforts understaffed. The Trump administration responded by accusing Newsom of failing to prepare adequately for fire season, citing state budget cuts to wildfire funding. Newsom’s push comes amid ongoing tensions over wildfire management, with California increasing its forest treatment efforts but calling on the federal government to increase its share of responsibility and resources to combat the growing wildfire threat. This issue underscores a larger debate about the effectiveness and coordination of state and federal wildfire strategies.