As wildfires caused at least two dozen deaths and billions of dollars in damages, some social media users accused California Gov. Gavin Newsom of slashing money to prevent fires. Many posts including by Fox News stated Newsom cut about $100 million in fire prevention from the state’s budget months before the Los Angeles fires.

Author and podcaster Brian J. Karem wrote: "I have evacuated 2 sons in the last 2 days. Thank God they are safe. Anyone who blames Gavin Newsom for this is a moron. Wildfires are an act of God or an arsonist. Newsom is neither.

The wildfires ravaging Los Angeles are getting embroiled in politics as Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s response and preparations have come under criticism from

Just over $100 million was cut from California's wildfire and forest resilience fund in the latest budget, though total spending has grown sharply since 2014.