Trump Denies Climate Change’s Role In Western Wildfires
With deadly wildfires burning across the West Coast and Hurricane Sally bearing down on the Gulf Coast, climate change has been pushed into the forefront of the presidential race. NBC's Tracie Potts reports.
(NBC News) — With deadly fires raging in Oregon and California, sending toxic smoke across the western United States, presidential candidates are at odds over whether climate change is to blame.
On Monday President Trump said he believes “it will get cooler” during a visit to areas impacted by California’s wildfire, adding “I don’t think science knows” when pressed on the matter.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden offered a harsh critique of Mr. Trump’s response, saying “If you give a climate arsonist four more years in the White House why would anyone be surprised if we have more of America ablaze?”
Mr. Trump went on to blame mismanagement of forest lands for the increased in fires.
“When you have years of leaves, dried leaves on the ground, it just sets it up, it’s really fuel for a fire,” Mr. Trump said.
That drew even more condemnation from Joe Biden.
“The west is literally on fire and he blames the people whose homes and communities are burning,” Biden said.
Biden’s running mate Kamala Harris will tour damage in California, her home state, Tuesday.
Read more here.
