I just want to start out with an article that I'd asked to be entered into the record without objection, written by Congressman Tom McClintock of California. In this letter, he states that Prior to 1800, on average, California had 4.5 million acres of land burned annually. 4.5 million acres. By the end of the 20th century, prior to the year 2000, by proper land management, they had reduced that to, on average, about 250,000 acres. (00:29–00:39)
CLAIM
Asserts historical data on average annual land burned in California before 1800.
This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.