Recent devastating wildfires in California have left at least two dozen people dead and entire neighborhoods in ruins. In the wake of these destructive blazes, a new Emerson College poll of 1,000 registered voters reveals how Americans perceive the disaster, including the role of climate change and Governor Gavin Newsom’s response.
Climate Change and Wildfires: A Divided Opinion
According to the poll, 58% of respondents believe climate change played a role in fueling the wildfires, while 42% disagreed. Younger voters were the most likely to connect the fires to climate change, with 74% of those under 30 attributing the blazes to global warming. In contrast, only 48% of voters in their 50s held the same view, though the number rose slightly to 53% among voters over 70.
John Abatzoglou, a climate and fire scientist at UC Merced, supports the idea that climate change is a driving factor. He points to drier fall and winter seasons, combined with strong Santa Ana winds, as key elements that created ideal conditions for wildfires to spread rapidly across Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
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Governor Newsom Faces Scrutiny Over Fire Response
Governor Gavin Newsom’s handling of the crisis has been met with mixed reactions, with only 30% of voters approving of his response. The poll found that 42% disapproved, while 28% remained neutral.
Criticism of Newsom’s response hasn’t just come from political opponents—even he has called for an investigation after fire hydrants in key wildfire zones lost water pressure when firefighters needed them most.
President-elect Donald Trump was among the first to publicly condemn Newsom, labeling the response as “incompetent.” Newsom, in turn, accused Trump of politicizing the tragedy and “threatening first responders.” Despite the governor’s invitation for Trump to visit the disaster zones and meet firefighters, it remains unclear if the former president plans to make the trip.
The poll highlights a sharp partisan divide over Newsom’s wildfire management. Among respondents:
- 61% of Republicans and 43% of independents disapproved of his handling of the fires.
- 49% of Democrats supported his response.
Newsom has already faced backlash over California’s housing crisis, rising homelessness, and a worsening insurance market, which saw policies canceled before the wildfires began.
Efforts to Speed Up Rebuilding
On Sunday, Newsom attempted to address wildfire victims’ concerns by signing an executive order aimed at streamlining the rebuilding process for those who lost homes and businesses.
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“When the fires are extinguished, victims must be able to rebuild quickly and without unnecessary obstacles,” Newsom stated. “This executive order will help cut permitting delays and allow communities to recover faster and stronger.”
He also directed state agencies to find additional ways to simplify the recovery process.
Wildfires Leave Devastation in Their Wake
As of Tuesday, the Palisades and Eaton Fires had burned more than 37,000 acres and destroyed approximately 17,000 structures. Experts warn that these fires could become the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history.
With California facing increasingly severe wildfire seasons, debate over the causes, prevention, and emergency response is likely to remain a contentious issue for years to come.
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