California continues to battle catastrophic wildfires that destroyed thousands of structures and claimed the lives of several people. The blazes are still spreading and threatening the lives and property of hundreds of thousands of people.

Over the weekend, the Mendocino Complex Fire became the second largest wildfire in the history of California. This wildfire consists of the Ranch Fire and River Fire, which are burning around Clear Lake in Northern California.

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire), the Mendocino Complex Fire has already burned more than 273,000 acres and is 30 percent contained. The wildfire destroyed 78 residences and 68 other properties. It is threatening 9,300 structures. More than 3,700 firefighters are working to put out the fire.

Mendocino Complex Current Evacuation Map as of 8.5.18 / 9:11 a.m. #mendocinocomplex @MendoSheriff @lakecosheriffCA @mendocinonf @glenncountyoes pic.twitter.com/6oqZUcVGI4

— CAL FIRE Mendocino (@CALFIRE_MEU) August 5, 2018

In Shasta County, the Carr Fire killed its seventh victim on Saturday. A spokesman for the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) Company said an apprentice lineman died in a vehicle-related accident on the western edge of the wildfire. The victim was part of the crew working in “dangerous terrain” to restore power in the area.

White House Approves Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for California

On Saturday, California Gov. Jerry Brown said the White House approved the state’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration.

Federal funding is available to people affected by the wildfire in Shasta County. It is also available to state, tribal and local governments as well as certain private non-profit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and repair or replacement of facilities.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, wildfire victims will receive federal assistance, including grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs. 

Wildfire is Part of a “New Normal” in California

In a statement, Brown warned that the wildfire is “part of a trend — a new normal — that California needs to “deal with.”

Currently, the state is battling 17 major wildfires. More than 14,000 firefighters from California and other states are working to put out these blazes statewide.

“These kinds of horrible situations bring people together, regardless of the lesser kind of ideologies and partisan considerations,” Brown added.

Trump Blames California’s 'Bad' Environmental Laws for Wildfires

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump blamed California’s environmental laws for the wildfires.

On Sunday, Trump tweeted that the state’s "bad environmental laws" made wildfires worse. It is unclear which state laws the president was referring to.

California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which aren’t allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized. It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire spreading!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2018

Henri Grissino-Mayer, a geography professor at the University of Tennessee, told CNN that Trump’s statement is false.

“California does not divert water to the ocean," Grissini Mayer said. "Ridiculous.”

He added that the state is diverting water to the coastal cities for a constant water supply. The coastal communities are using all of that water.