WASHINGTON  

A Republican lawmaker criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday for his handling of one of the most destructive wildfires in the state.

"We know the Santa Ana winds are going to blow. Every year, we know there's going to be risk. What is our governor doing to help stop the risk?" Doug LaMalfa said on the floor of the House of Representatives.

LaMalfa claimed Newsom is virtually doing nothing other than showing up for news conferences, waving his arms and having long-practiced monologs.

"So, it's time for the governor to either bear down or get out of the way because California keeps suffering," he added.

He asked why is nothing being done to mitigate forest management, or brush management, and lower the risk.

"We need to build sites reservoir,” he said. “We need to not let all the water keep rushing out to the Pacific Ocean through the Delta to supposedly save a smell that doesn't exist. We need to get cracking on this. Governor Newsom, either get at it or get out of the way."

Wildfires continue to rage across Southern California, killing at least five people. The Palisades Fire has burned through more than 17,234 acres.