Pastor Jack Hibbs slammed the California government this week for the disastrous response to the wildfire ravaging the state. 24 People have died and another 16 are missing the the multiple fires still raging. Hibbs lays the blame for this debacle at the feet of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsome. He gave the remarks at Calvary Chapel Chino Hills while speaking to his congregation.
The Pastor said California was a “third-world state” and raged against “horrific politicians.” The situation has angered Hibbs so much, that he’s decided to endorse a candidate for governor. He stated that “California is a third-world state. … I have asked someone to run for governor, pleading with him to run for governor.” He went on to say that the candidate, “lives in the San Francisco Bay area. He loves America. … He moved from Europe because he loves California. … Steve Hilton.”
The pastor said Democrats … destroyed America and California.” In a post to his X account, Hibbs wrote, “It’s time for change in California! After witnessing devastating failures in leadership, it’s clear that the people of California deserve much better.” He also commented on a post by President Trump, where the President drew attention to Newsom’s refusal to approve a water restoration declaration, which could have allowed more water from rainfall and snowmelt to flow into fire-prone areas.
The Pastor said, “This post is true.” He added, “Every single time the California voter had the opportunity to bring water not only to all of California but to our farmers and our growers, Newsom stood against it.” Hibbs also thinks there’s a human element at play. He says he has heard from first responders who suspected there were “nearly 300 fires set in the inner city area of Los Angeles” He points to “arsonists or people with nefarious plugs in their minds.”
The fires have damaged or destroyed more than 12,000 buildings. While work crews have made progress containing the fire, experts warn that strong winds will continue to spread the blaze. In a rare move, the National Weather Service issued a rare red flag warning for strong Santa Ana winds in the L.An area. The Eaton fire, just one of 5 currently active, has burned more than 14,000 acres. The blaze is 27% contained.
The Palisades fire is only 13% contained and has already razed 23,000 acres from Pacific Palisades toward Malibu. Tens of thousands have been evacuated. According to officials, power lines near both the Eaton and Palisades fires were reportedly active at the time the wildfires ignited. The shifting winds have made it difficult for firefighters.
The Hurst fire, concentrated in Sylmar, burned 779 acres and had reached 89% containment. Some residents and business owners have been forced to hire private firefighting teams to protect individual properties. Over 100,000 Los Angeles residents are under evacuation orders. Tens of thousands more are on standby to leave at short notice if the fires turn toward their communities.
Hibbs has drawn attention to how environmental regulations worsened the crisis and made life difficult for farmers. He alleges that state officials’ water policies resulted in “our environment … a scorched earth policy.” He’s decided to take the fight to the state of California, Every single Democrat in California must go, and we will do everything we can to help them pack in 2026.”