But is the main victim the truth? Fire has burned large parts of Los Angeles, California, to the ground. Now a blame game has started.
'The costliest disaster in US history'
But is the main victim the truth? Fire has burned large parts of Los Angeles, California, to the ground. Now a blame game has started.
The fires are still burning. But already we know that this is one of the biggest natural disastersA natural event such as a hurricane, flood or heatwave that can cause huge damage and put people's lives at risk. in American history.
The Los AngelesA city in California, USA. It is known for one of its districts - Hollywood, home of the US film industry. fires have burned through more than 40,000 acres of land in the last week. Almost 200,000 people have been forced to flee their homes and 24 have died.
Los Angeles is a city in CaliforniaA large state on the west coast of the USA. It is the country's most populous state, with more than 37 million people. First settled by Native Americans as much as 13,000 years ago, the area was subsequently conquered by Spain, then was absorbed into Mexico, which was forced to hand it over to the USA in 1848.. Last week, wildfiresAn uncontrolled fire that burns in a forest, grassland, or other sparsely populated area. Wildfires are becoming more common with global warming. started to spread through the city. They were made worse by a long droughtA time when there is not enough water and the ground is very dry. and high winds.
Now, politiciansSomeone whose job it is to be involved in running a country. Politicians try to persuade people they have the best ideas to run the country. are starting to blame each other for the fires. Donald Trump, who will become presidentIn some countries, the leader is called the president. of the USA again next week, says the people in charge of the US stateThe USA is made up of 50 states. of CaliforniaA large state on the west coast of the USA. It is the country's most populous state, with more than 37 million people. First settled by Native Americans as much as 13,000 years ago, the area was subsequently conquered by Spain, then was absorbed into Mexico, which was forced to hand it over to the USA in 1848. are to blame.
He accusedClaim that someone has done something wrong. California governorIn the USA, governors are elected leaders of the 50 states. Gavin NewsomAn American politician, and the governor of California. He belongs to the Democratic party. of refusing to sign a "water restoration declaration" to allow more water to be used to fight the fire. But no such declaration exists.
Meanwhile, Newsom, who may run for president himself one day, wants people to know that climate changeLong-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change. is making the fires worse.
But is the main victim the truth?
Yes! False stories are spreading even faster than the fires. Each side wants to make sure the other side takes the blame for people's suffering.
No! Every disaster a country faces is always followed by a blame game. There is nothing different about these wildfiresAn uncontrolled fire that burns in a forest, grassland, or other sparsely populated area. Wildfires are becoming more common with global warming..
Natural disasters - A natural event such as a hurricane, flood or heatwave that can cause huge damage and put people's lives at risk.
Los Angeles - A city in California, USA. It is known for one of its districts - Hollywood, home of the US film industry.
California - A large state on the west coast of the USA. It is the country's most populous state, with more than 37 million people. First settled by Native Americans as much as 13,000 years ago, the area was subsequently conquered by Spain, then was absorbed into Mexico, which was forced to hand it over to the USA in 1848.
Wildfires - An uncontrolled fire that burns in a forest, grassland, or other sparsely populated area. Wildfires are becoming more common with global warming.
Drought - A time when there is not enough water and the ground is very dry.
Politicians - Someone whose job it is to be involved in running a country. Politicians try to persuade people they have the best ideas to run the country.
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
US state - The USA is made up of 50 states.
Accused - Claim that someone has done something wrong.
Governor - In the USA, governors are elected leaders of the 50 states.
Gavin Newsom - An American politician, and the governor of California. He belongs to the Democratic party.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
‘The costliest disaster in US history’

Glossary
Natural disasters - A natural event such as a hurricane, flood or heatwave that can cause huge damage and put people's lives at risk.
Los Angeles - A city in California, USA. It is known for one of its districts - Hollywood, home of the US film industry.
California - A large state on the west coast of the USA. It is the country's most populous state, with more than 37 million people. First settled by Native Americans as much as 13,000 years ago, the area was subsequently conquered by Spain, then was absorbed into Mexico, which was forced to hand it over to the USA in 1848.
Wildfires - An uncontrolled fire that burns in a forest, grassland, or other sparsely populated area. Wildfires are becoming more common with global warming.
Drought - A time when there is not enough water and the ground is very dry.
Politicians - Someone whose job it is to be involved in running a country. Politicians try to persuade people they have the best ideas to run the country.
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
US state - The USA is made up of 50 states.
Accused - Claim that someone has done something wrong.
Governor - In the USA, governors are elected leaders of the 50 states.
Gavin Newsom - An American politician, and the governor of California. He belongs to the Democratic party.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.