Tweeting about the wildfires that have killed at least seven people and forced thousands to flee their homes, the US President Trump called on the Democratic California Governor Jerry Brown to “allow the Free Flow of the vast amounts of water coming from the North”.
But the state fire agency says there hasn’t been any water shortages for its crews. Rather experts say that the 17 blazes have been made more likely and intense because of climate change.
“To dismiss the role of climate change on these fires is simply incorrect,” Michael F. Wehner, a senior staff scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, said.
Considering Trump has previously labelled climate change a hoax – and his administration has overturned or watered down at least 26 environmental regulations since taking office – perhaps it’s no surprise that he’s got his ‘facts’ wrong again.
