California’s Fires: Mismanagement, Global Warming or Plague?

California’s wildfire crises are becoming a recurring nightmare, and much of the blame lies in the state’s choices, choices that reflect a broader failure of governance and accountability. The Los Angeles Fire Department has faced drastic budget cuts, with billions redirected to address homelessness. While addressing homelessness is critical, it came at the expense of emergency services, leaving the fire department understaffed and deprioritized.

Compounding this is a hiring policy focused on meeting quotas for diversity rather than prioritizing qualifications. I do not care how inclusive any job is. I just want the job done. Beyond this, poor environmental stewardship has exacerbated the crisis. Water mismanagement all to save one fish, the smelt and a refusal to address forest maintenance— leaving dead trees to rot and forest floors cluttered— have created perfect conditions for devastating fires.

Should anyone be surprised the state is burning? Naturally, the culprit is “climate change”, a catch-all term that can be used to describe any weather phenomenon. As such, this is not the cause.

Wildfires bring devastation, but they also bring out opportunists. Every disaster seems to attract looters, and this crisis is no exception. Reports of individuals dressing as firefighters to gain access to vulnerable areas for looting are appalling. A particularly troubling case featured a muscular man in a fake firefighter’s uniform as if people are more trusting of someone who is strong enough to get the job done. A stark contrast to the DEI (Didn’t Earn It) of Los Angeles.

Even more chilling are reports of individuals deliberately starting fires to create chaos and opportunities to loot. The thought of people pouring gasoline on an already tragic situation is infuriating. As Jason Aldean might put it: “Try that in a small town. See how far you make it down the road.” It’s hard to imagine a worse betrayal of humanity than profiting from destruction.

There is a special place in Hell for those who worsen suffering for personal gain.

Let us now see how the federal government is handling this. When disaster strikes, federal disaster aid is supposed to be a lifeline. Yet, the disparities between California and North Carolina reveal a troubling pattern. California, a key Democratic stronghold, received $770 per affected resident, a pitiful amount considering the magnitude of losses. Meanwhile, North Carolina, still reeling from hurricanes, continues to wait for meaningful aid. The difference? North Carolina’s red-state status made it less politically advantageous for the previous administration. After all that is where all of the celebrities who donate to their campaigns and endorse their agenda live.

This blatant prioritization of politics over people is as predictable as it is shameful. The message is clear: some states matter more than others, at least in the eyes of those in power.

After the fires broke out, some suggested the devastation might be divine judgment. Ray Comfort of Living Waters drew parallels between the fires and biblical instances of judgment, such as the Prophet Elijah’s confrontation with a king worshipping ba’al. He argued that the city’s rejection of God, evident in events like the Golden Globe Awards, where not one thanked God and a city that rejects Him.

But is this divine judgment? It’s hard to say. While California has certainly veered far from biblical principles, the fires also impacted innocent lives. As Jesus says, “God sends rain on the just and the unjust.” It may be tempting to draw parallels to Sodom and Gomorrah, but disasters like these often reflect human mismanagement more than divine intervention.

What’s clear is that California’s policies, neglecting forest management, prioritizing political agendas over practical governance, and misallocating resources, played a significant role. Whether divine or human, the consequences are painfully evident.

Humans are stewards of God’s creation and have a vital role to play. However, God’s wrath against the ungodly is being stored up until the Day of Judgement when all of creation will be consumed by fire.

California’s wildfires are not just natural disasters; they are the result of preventable failures. It is time to demand accountability from leadership at every level. Mismanagement cannot be justified under the guise of noble intentions. Whether it’s ensuring qualified firefighters, maintaining forests, or delivering equitable disaster aid, solutions are within reach—if priorities are set right.

The flames may eventually die down, but unless lessons are learned and actions are taken, California’s cycle of destruction will only continue.