Trump: ‘Proper forest management’ can stop ‘devastation’ in California

President Trump on Sunday doubled down on his claim that deadly forest fires ravaging California are partly attributable to poor “forest management,” despite widespread criticism for similar comments a day earlier.

“With proper Forest Management, we can stop the devastation constantly going on in California. Get Smart!” Trump tweeted Sunday as he prepared to visit a ceremony in Paris marking the centennial of the end of World War I.

With proper Forest Management, we can stop the devastation constantly going on in California. Get Smart!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2018

{mosads}The death toll from the Camp Fire spreading across California rose to 25 late Saturday, with 23 deaths attributed directly to the flames, according to The Washington Post. The disaster is the most destructive wildfire in the state’s history, as it has as destroyed thousands of buildings and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee.

Trump on Saturday morning blamed the wildfires on “gross mismanagement” of the state’s forests, and threatened to withdraw federal funding.

“There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor,” Trump tweeted.

There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor. Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 10, 2018

Lawmakers, celebrities and the International Association of Firefighters slammed the president’s comments, with the latter group calling the comments “reckless and insulting.”

The president on Saturday night urged Californians to follow evacuation orders, and acknowledged those fighting the fires and those who have died.