Californians believe the state should focus more on fire equipment and preparation, according to a new poll conducted by Emerson College.
A poll commissioned by KTLA’s parent company, Nexstar Media, found that state Democrats and Republicans appear to be in line with their desire to be spent on staffing and equipment for firefighters.
Airlines (KTLA) drop water into a brush fire near Sepulveda Pass on January 22, 2025
Polls found 68% of registered Democrats and 61% of Republicans agreed that states should spend more on fire resources, even if that means increasing taxes. It reflected that sentiment slightly beyond half of the self-explained independents.
“The majority of Democrats, Republicans and independents support increased state spending on firefighters and equipment, reflecting growing concern amid the threat of wildfires.” said Spencer Kinball, executive director of Emerson College Polling.
Only about 35% of all respondents said the state’s current firefighting levels should remain the same, while 3% said they should actually do so even less.
Kamala Harris as the next governor of the CA? She is supported by voters
In January, wind-driven wildfires were furious throughout Los Angeles County, killing dozens, destroying hundreds of homes and driving away thousands.
Experts say California is increasingly vulnerable to dangerous wildfire activity due to the environmental changes brought about by climate change. In an Emerson College poll, seven of the 10 respondents said they believe climate change has contributed to recent wildfires.
“Voters under the age of 40 (75%) and over 70 (73%) are most confident in recent wildfires, but most of all ages agree “We’ll do that,” Kimball added.
During last month’s deadly wildfire, President Donald Trump criticized California’s water management after firefighters ran out of firefighters, keeping the flames at bay.
This has resulted in the president signing an executive order overriding existing water regulations to deliver water from the federal Central Valley Project. He cited La Fires as the reason for this executive order, but the majority of newly released waters are in the San Joaquin Valley, which are cities, including Sacramento and Fresno, and receive many, many. It is used for agricultural purposes. According to Calmatters, rest.
California Governor Gavin Newsom greets President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump before touring the damage left behind by the Palisade Fire on January 24, 2025.
Pollers asked Californians if opening a dam in Central California, California, was a good thing.
But these opinions are closely tracking political boundaries, officials said.
“There’s partisan disparity in Trump’s actions in California. 72% of Democrats think opening a dam in Central California is bad for the state, but 83% of Republicans do that. I think so,” Kimball said.
Respondents were also asked Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who are confident that longtime political opponents can help with fire prevention efforts.
About 43% of those voted to think the president wouldn’t do enough to work with the governor on fire-related issues, but about a quarter of respondents would work with Trump. He said it is the newspaper that doesn’t do enough.
Is Ted Cruz actually researching high-speed rails in California?
Both Trump and Newsom can find a common foundation for less-than-bright approval ratings in California. Newsom received 42% approval and 40% disapproval from those voted, while Trump received a 37% approval rate and 53% disapproval.
Firefighting was not the only topic Californians were asked to weigh.
The majority of registered voters (56%) said they consider the widespread deportation of undocumented immigrants in California, spurred by the Trump administration, to be bad for the nation.
Another Trump’s recent target in Golden State, the California High Speed Rail Project has 54% of people saying that 54% of California states say it’s a useful use of state funds But 46% say it isn’t. .
Emerson College’s Nexstar Media poll was conducted earlier this week via text messages and landlines. Other topics respondents were asked to comment on were gubernatorial candidates’ priorities in 2026, including former vice president Kamala Harris.
Source link