Trump calls authorities “incompetent” amid fires

US President-elect Donald Trump has used social media to criticize the actions of California authorities amid the wildfires in Los Angeles County.

Trump, who will take office on January 20, classified the agencies as “incompetent” for the way they have handled the forest fires that have already devastated around 15,000 acres and destroyed more than 12,000 structures. Furthermore, 16 people have already died and 13 remain missing since the beginning of the tragedy.

“Fires continue to burn in Los Angeles. Incompetent politicians have no idea how to put them out,” Trump wrote on his social network, Truth Social, in clear criticism of California Governor Gavin Newsom. “This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our country. They simply cannot put out the fires. What is wrong with them? (…) Thousands of great homes are gone and many more will soon be lost. There is death everywhere place,” added Donald Trump.

According to information released by the EFE Agency, firefighters managed to completely contain the Lidia fire, while the Kenneth fire is 80% contained, the Hurst fire is 76% contained, the Eaton fire is 15% contained and the Palisades fire is only 11% contained. The cause of the fires remains unknown.

Despite the efforts of containment forces, Los Angeles County spokesman Jesus Ruiz said at a news conference that he was concerned that the fire’s eastward movement was “significant progress” as it was moving quickly toward a “highly populated” area.