WASHINGTON - Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that the Trump administration has approved California's wildfire disaster declaration after he first denied the request.
Newsom said the president reversed his initial decision after the two spoke by phone.The governor first formally submitted a letter to the White House on Sept.
28 asking for emergency aid. Newsom said the funds are needed to clean up the damage from six recent wildfires among the siege of deadly and destructive blazes that have scorched the state.
A representative of one fire-stricken area had warned that time was running out to clean up debris before rain and snow arrived, bringing the threat of mudslides and toxins being washed into a river watershed.The 30-page request.