Life-threatening' windstorm fans fires in Southern Calaifornia as blazes burn in Los Angeles

Trump ordering the water to be released apears only to be a stunt or is there more? The resource wasted and now the crops are in danger without the water security. Poor crops will mean higher food prices... Trump said disruption is good. Was this an intentional act to destabilize CA/attack Newsom?

 

Not sure what a proper punishment would be for that guy

 

While arson laws vary by state, at the federal level, people who are convicted of setting fires can be held liable for the entire cost of suppressing the fire, which in the worst cases, can run into 8 or 9 figures. Of course, it's impossible for most to comply fully, but some people have had a portion of their wages garnished for decades after conviction. Intent plays a big role--if the fire was set to intentionally damage property, that usually increases the potential penalties. If you were drunk and knocked over a candle, you may have some wiggle room. If you lit the fire with intent and people died, charges can range from manslaughter to murder and decades of prison time or worse.

in 2006, Raymond Oyler was convicted of first degree murder after intentionally setting a series of fires in SoCal on a day when Santa Ana winds were forecast. One quickly grew and showed extreme fire behavior. Five US Forest Service firefighters died trying to protect a house. As a result, Oyler received the death sentence. John Maclean (son of Norman "A River Runs Through It" Maclean) wrote a book about the case:

 

Consideration of the death penalty wouldn't be ridiculous. if he planted a bomb that killed that many people, that would be the conversation.

 

But, he was indicted by the federal government. If they tack on murder charges, which seems called for, he could get the death penalty from the federal government regardless of California law.