President-elect Donald Trump attacked California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday as thousands of acres burned in a blaze that tore through Los Angeles County. Mr. Trump threatened to take on the state’s water policies when he assumes office later this month.

Mr. Trump raged at Mr. Newsom on Truth Social, pinning the blame for the disaster on the Democrat’s decision to reject a 2019 federal plan that would have increased the water supply in Southern California. 

“Governor Gavin Newscum [sic] refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snowmelt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way,” Mr. Trump wrote.

Mr. Trump also slammed Mr. Newsom over reports that fire hydrants in some areas have run dry, thanks to empty water reservoirs. 

The Democrat-run state and city are struggling to battle the spreading blaze, fueled by 100-mph winds. At least 1,000 structures have burned and two people have died as a result of the fires, according to city officials.

Mr. Trump has attacked Mr. Newsom in the past over the state’s wildfire and water management and at least twice threatened to pull federal money. 

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In 2019, during Mr. Trump’s first term, the federal Bureau of Reclamation proposed pumping more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta into the state’s two water delivery systems. The plan was backed by federal fishery reports that determined the additional pumping would not harm endangered species.

But Mr. Newsom signed off on modified regulations aimed at protecting Chinook salmon and the Delta smelt, which is largely extinct.

In his Wednesday post, Mr. Trump called the smelt a “worthless fish” and said Mr. Newsom doesn’t care about Californians. 

“Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is [to] blame for this. On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, [no] firefighting planes. A true disaster!”

• Susan Ferrechio can be reached at sferrechio@washingtontimes.com.