President Trump visited the devastated town of Paradise, Calif. on Saturday to view the wildfire aftermath that has left at least 71 dead and 1,000 missing.
Details: In his comments to assembled reporters, Trump said, "Hopefully, this will be the last of these, because it was a really, really bad one. People have to see this to really understand it." Trump also said that viewing the fire damage hadn't changed his opinion on climate change, though a changing climate and population growth are combining to increase wildfire risk both in California and more broadly across the American West.
There are about 1,500 prisoners doing the grueling work of fighting California wildfires, including the record-breaking Camp Fire, according to the New York Times. This is a long-standing program in which inmates earn up to $3 a day for their volunteer work, but upon release it will be almost impossible for them to get a firefighting job in the state.
Why it matters: Many prisons offer educational and job training programs for inmates hoping to work in fields like cosmetology, firefighting or even law after serving their time. However, due to complicated occupational licensing laws that often result in denials of former criminals, the training is often useless after incarcerated men and women are released.
Responding to questions from Robert Mueller is President Trump’s literal moment of truth.
Why it matters: Over his decades in public life, Trump has faced scant — if any — serious consequences for saying things that are not true. However, right now, in putting together his answers for the special counsel, that all changes.
The Butte County Sheriff announced Friday evening that 71 people have been confirmed dead and more than 1,000 are unaccounted for as evacuations continue for northern California's Camp Fire.
Why it matters: The victim tolls rose sharply from early Friday with 63 dead and 631 unaccounted for. The Camp Fire is California's most destructive and deadliest wildfire on record, surpassing records set just 13 months ago. The fire is causing dangerously poor air quality to blanket the San Francisco Bay Area, threatening to aggravate chronic health conditions including asthma, heart and lung disease. Schools are closed due to the poor air quality, and many people have had to wear masks to block particulate matter from getting into their lungs.
