With Canadian wildfires again blanketing the American Midwest in thick smoke, Republican lawmakers are demanding accountability from Ottawa. On Monday, six members of Congress led by Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) issued a formal letter to Canadian Ambassador Kirsten Hillman pressing for answers on how Canada plans to control its worsening wildfire crisis.
The Madre Fire in California surged to 35,530 acres in under 24 hours, becoming the state’s largest wildfire of the year. Fueled by dry grass, high temperatures, and gusty winds, the blaze erupted Wednesday near State Route 166 east of Santa Maria and is primarily burning through federal lands in San Luis Obispo County.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly embraced a wildfire prevention strategy long mocked by Democrats, adopting President Donald Trump’s “rake the forest” approach under a new slogan: “Make America Rake Again.” The announcement, made during a press conference Tuesday in Placer County, marks a shift in Newsom’s wildfire messaging after years of criticism over his handling of the state’s devastating fire seasons.
Los Angeles County leaders are considering dramatic changes to how fire recovery and rebuilding are managed following the devastating Palisades and Eaton Fires. A commission formed in response to the wildfires has proposed the creation of new local authorities, including a “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” and a fire-specific “LA County Fire Control District.”
President Donald Trump sharply criticized California’s forest management policies during a press conference at the White House on Tuesday, blaming the state’s wildfire crisis on neglect and environmentalist obstruction. Speaking alongside Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Trump vowed to overhaul forest policy at the federal level by removing dead wood and enforcing stronger land maintenance standards.
California homeowners face soaring insurance costs as State Farm pushes for a total 30% increase in home insurance rates. The company already secured a 17% emergency hike, and now seeks an additional 11%, even while many wildfire victims say they haven't received fair compensation.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Thursday a critical rule waiver for FHA-backed loans to assist homeowners affected by the recent California wildfires. HUD Secretary Scott Turner confirmed the change, which offers temporary relief from foreclosure procedures for borrowers in declared disaster areas.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency to accelerate wildfire prevention efforts ahead of the peak fire season, removing bureaucratic hurdles that he says have slowed down critical projects.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially completed Phase 1 of the cleanup effort for the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire in Los Angeles, finishing in just 28 days. This rapid completion came after President Donald Trump ordered the agency to move as quickly as possible to clear hazardous materials.
