GOP leaders claim overregulation contribute to devastating fires. Democrats point to climate change as a factor.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has disputed criticisms of his administration’s handling of forest and water management by highlighting billions in state investments to increase the number of

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson was adamant Friday that any wildfire aid for California will include conditions aimed at preventing future blazes — because, he said, “bad policy choices” hurt prevention efforts.

Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman argues that California wildfires result from poor land management and restrictive policies, not climate change. She criticizes the 2001 Roadless Rule for limiting forest management,

Republicans blamed “overregulation” for the deadly blazes. Democrats pointed to weather factors related to climate change.

House Republicans blasted California’s environmental regulations as helping fuel the Los Angeles County wildfires, often using politically charged and sometimes misleading claims, as Congress on Thursday convened its first hearing on last month's deadly firestorms.