Newsom ‘evaluating options’ on planned convention appearance as wildfires rage across California

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) may forgo his planned remarks at the virtual Democratic National Convention in response to wildfires burning across his state.

A series of storms has led to both fires and rolling electricity blackouts, leading the governor to evaluate options for his planned remarks Thursday night, Newsom adviser Dan Newman told Politico.

“The originally planned segment didn’t make sense given the growth and severity of the fires,” Newman said.

Newsom has long been thought to harbor national political ambitions, and going through with the speech as planned could open him to accusations of ignoring problems in the state, Politico noted.

The governor on Monday had described his remarks at virtual convention as “more of an engaged conversation with another well-known elected official.” While Newsom did not name the official in question, Thursday is also the night Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will address the convention, likely drawing broad viewership.

“I’m honored and certainly humbled by the privilege of having that time and that moment to engage with someone I have tremendous respect for,” he said Monday, according to The Sacramento Bee.

The governor said Wednesday that the state is fighting 367 fires. California has experienced nearly 11,000 lightning strikes and record-high heat. The fires include 23 “complex fires,” or those encompassing “an area that has multiple fires within a proximate geographic area,” according to Newsom. The 6,754 fires in the state since the beginning of 2020 far outpace the 4,000 fires in the state by this point last year, according to the governor’s office.

CA has experienced 10,849 lightning strikes in the last 72 hours and WORLD RECORD heat temperatures.

We’re currently battling 367 known fires.

Grateful for our firefighters, first responders, and everyone on the frontlines protecting Californians during this time.

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) August 19, 2020