SAN FRANCISCO — California Gov. Gavin Newsom told President Joe Biden on Friday the country must address the “hurricane-force winds of mis- and disinformation” spreading about the fatal fires devastating the Los Angeles area.

Just over $100 million was cut from California's wildfire and forest resilience fund in the latest budget, though total spending has grown sharply since 2014.

Walls of fire devoured neighborhoods, forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee for their lives. But as a cataclysm fueled by windstorms charred swathes of Los Angeles, Donald Trump spotted an opportunity.