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By Kalhan Rosenblatt
President Donald Trump arrived Saturday in California to visit parts of the state devastated by forest fires, despite criticisms made at the site of forest management a week ago.
Answering questions about the White House Southern Lawn before leaving Washington, Trump called the fires "shameful".
"It seems that many more people are missing than anyone thought, and I want to be with firefighters, FEMA and first responders," Trump said.
The camp fire, which burns north of Sacramento, has killed over 70 people and more than 1,000 people are still missing, although officials have warned that this number may contain duplicates.
Trump said that during his visit to the state, he would talk about "forest management".
"It should have been done many years ago, but I think everyone is on the right side.It is a big problem.It is a big problem.A very expensive problem, but very , very economical compared to just one of those horrible fires, "said Trump.
After landing at Beale Air Base, about 100 km south of Paradise, at 9:50 am (Paris time), Trump shook hands with governors Jerry Brown and elected Gavin Newsom. He then went to the Chico Municipal Airport to examine the damage caused by the fire in the area.
Trump visited Paradise with local officials shortly before noon and examined the damage done by the campfire, which is now the deadliest in the state's history.
"People have to see this to understand it," Trump said, addressing reporters alongside Brown, Newsom and Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Brock Long in what he said. was once the mobile home and caravan park of the Skyway Villa.
Trump said he thought it would be the last major fire in California, adding that he was engaged in cleaning up and recovering the state.
"I think we're all on the same track when it comes to management, maintenance and we'll also be working with environmental groups, they really do – I think everyone has seen the light," Trump said.
He talked about turning to other countries like Finland to find out how to successfully manage California's forests.
"It's very sad to see. As for life, nobody knows it yet, "he added. "Right now, we want to take care of people who are so badly hurt, families where they have lost a lot – a lot of people have been lost."
An incident operations command center then asked Trump whether seeing first-hand the devastation of the fires had changed his view of climate change.
"No, I have a strong opinion, I want a beautiful climate, and we will have a very safe forest, we can not live this every year," Trump said.
In a joint statement before the arrival of Trump, Brown and Newsom said that they welcome Trump's visit.
"We welcome the President's visit to California and are grateful for the prompt response to our requests for help. The time has come to bring together California citizens, "the statement said.
Newsom announced on November 9 that Trump and the Federal Emergency Management Agency had granted a request for a presidential emergency declaration and federal funding to help fight the Camp and Woolsey fires.
Trump first blamed California's forest management, without evidence, for fires and threatened to withhold federal funding from the state.
"There is no reason for these massive, deadly and expensive forest fires in California, if it is that the management of the forest is so bad." Billions of dollars are poured every year, with loss of life, all due to poor forest management or more payments from the Fed! " tweeted.
The position has provoked negative reactions from officials, first responders and celebrities in California.
"Firefighters and communities in this state deserve an apology," said Brian Rice, president of the California Firefighters' Union.
Trump finally reversed the course, saying California was getting all the support.
"I just spoke to Governor Jerry Brown to let him know that we are at his side, as well as the people of California!" Trump wrote Wednesday on Twitter.
This will be Trump's second visit to this state during his presidency.
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