Camp Fire destroys Paradise as California aid becomes political leverage

The Camp Fire ignited on November 8, 2018, destroyed Paradise, California, and became the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in modern California history. FEMA issued a fire-management declaration on November 8 and a major disaster declaration on November 12. Later reporting based on former White House officials said President Trump initially resisted California wildfire aid because of the state’s Democratic politics and approved it after aides showed him Republican voter strength in Orange County.