Trump criticizes California fire management as 'so poor' in tweet

As fires forced more than 200,000 to flee their homes in Southern California on Friday, President Donald Trump criticized forest management and suggested in a tweet that federal funds could be withheld.

>> Read more trending news

Trump, who landed in France on Friday, weighed in on the California blazes, including the Woolsey fire that continued to menace Malibu and parts of Ventura County and threatened to approach the beaches.

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

Explore>> 2 large fires rapidly whip through Southern California

Dry conditions and high winds continue to fan the flames through Southern California, with fires damaging more than 35,000 acres in Oak Park, Thousand Oaks and Malibu, the Los Angeles Times reported.

About the Author

Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Veterans Affairs puts Augusta health director on leave in new shake-up

This is Augusta Health Care System's second leadership change in three months following an investigation. A VA report said Augusta system leaders fostered a “culture of fear.”

Illustration for AJC honors Hank Aaron back in the glittering lights

Advocacy and uncertainty: Parents raise funds for Angelman syndrome research

‘We just wanted to make sure that we were heard,’ Kathryn Ely said of testifying before Congress.

The Latest

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

A.M. ATL: A deportation hub in South Georgia

Veterans Affairs puts Augusta health director on leave in new shake-up

A.M. ATL: Who moved it?

Featured

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

The drama in the lieutenant governor race will come from the Senate floor

Five of the expected candidates for Georgia's next lieutenant governor are state senators, setting up what is expected to be a lively session. Only one is a Democrat, so far.

More storms hitting metro Atlanta through afternoon, evening

Scattered storms are expected in parts of Georgia throughout the afternoon. A stronger, more organized storm will arrive by nightfall as a cold front moves in.

YSL case has finally ended, and ‘absolutely everybody lost,’ experts say

Atlanta's yearslong YSL racketeering trial finally comes to an end with no murder convictions.