California Wildfires Update: Maria Fire 50% Contained; Trump Threatens To Cut Federal Aid

The Maria Fire burning in Ventura County, California, has been 50% contained by firefighters as of early Sunday. The progress comes as President Trump has threatened to cut federal aid to California over Gov. Gavin Newsom's handling of the wildfire crisis.

The Maria Fire has burned at least 9,000 acres near the cities of Ventura and Oxnard outside of Los Angeles. So far, more than 70% of the fires that have spread over California in the last two weeks have been contained.

In addition to the Maria Fire, the Kincade Fire and Sobrante Fire also remain threats.

In a Sunday morning tweetstorm, Trump slammed Newsom for the fires, saying that mismanagement of California's forests is causing the fires.

"The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has done a terrible job of forest management," Trump declared. He added that California is not "cleaning" the floors of the forests, which he claims is causing the fires. While talking to reporters Sunday, Trump said Newsom was, "like a child."

Trump, who praised the firefighters and the coordination between the state and federal level in putting out the flames, suggested that he would no longer give federal aid to California due to the fires.The federal government manages over half of California's forests.

"You don't believe in climate change. You are excused from this conversation," Gov. Newsom said in response. Newsom ordered a state of emergency last week due to the fires as hundreds of homes have been damaged. At least three people have been killed by the blazes.

Trump suggested last year that California "rake" the forest floors of the state, an idea he said he got from Finland's President Sauli Niinisto. Niinisto has said that he spoke with Trump about forest management but did not suggest "raking" the forests as a means to prevent fires.

Meanwhile, California Sen. Kamala Harris posted on Twitter: "Raking leaves is as effective at combatting the climate crisis as your phone’s spellcheck is at fixing your tweets. @GavinNewsom is doing his job. Maybe you should try it."

California wildfires in 2018 killed an estimated 97 civilians and six firefighters.