After the president-elect accused him of being responsible for the California wildfires, Newsom responded by labeling Trump's statements as "pure fiction."

President-elect Donald Trump's comments about the response to deadly wildfires in Southern California have prompted a response from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Trump met with reporters after attending meetings on Capitol Hill and criticized Newsom for not performing well, but acknowledged they collaborated effectively and would do so again when he assumes office in the near future.

""Gavin Newsom's refusal to allow water to come to California is a mistake, and it's all because of a tiny little fish called smelt," Trump said."

Trump's comments prompted Newsom's press office to release a statement on social media explaining why the pumps were not utilized.

Due to high water demand, pump stations at lower elevations were unable to refill tanks at higher elevations, and the ongoing fire hindered the access of crews to the pumps, according to LADWP.

The city employs water tenders to supply water, a typical approach in wildland firefighting, as stated by his office.

Newsom's office also dismissed claims there is a water shortage.

Despite Trump's claims, there is no water shortage in Southern California at the moment, according to Newsom's office.

Officials from California stated that water reliability and supply remain stable.

A comment stated that there was enough water to meet the needs of 40 million individuals for a year.

In the afternoon, Trump accused Newsom of not signing a water restoration declaration and criticized him for the low fire containment.

The Biden/Newscum Duo's gross incompetence and mismanagement are exemplified by this situation, and January 20th cannot come soon enough, according to Trump's post on Truth Social.

According to Newsom's office, there is no such thing as a water restoration declaration.

They also noted that the supply and transport of water are unrelated.

"The post claims that Trump is confusing two separate issues: the delivery of water to Southern California and the supply from local storage. Additionally, the post states that there is no such thing as a water restoration declaration, which the post claims is a fabrication."

Still, Trump was not done with his criticism of Newsom.

Trump blamed himself for the wildfires in a scathing late-night post on Truth Social.

Trump also called on Newsom to resign.

"Gavin Newscum should resign because one of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground," Trump wrote. "It’s ashes, and this is all his fault!!!"

During an interview with Anderson Cooper on CNN on Wednesday, Newsom was questioned about Trump's accusation that he is responsible for the wildfire disaster.

"People are fleeing, losing their lives, schools, and families. Churches are burning down. Newsom told Cooper that this guy wanted to politicize it, but he won't respond."

Newsom commended President Biden for not engaging in politics.

On Wednesday, Biden toured a fire station in Los Angeles with Newsom, receiving a briefing from officials about the ongoing wildfires.

More than 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes due to the California wildfires that started on Tuesday afternoon. The fires in the Los Angeles area are putting at least 28,000 structures at risk. At least five people have lost their lives in the fires.

On Tuesday, Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency due to the Palisades fire becoming uncontrollable.