On January 7, a lethal mix of drought and unusually fierce winds sparked a multitude of wildfires across Los Angeles. This catastrophic event has given rise to a cultural wildfire, rife with ignorance, conspiracy theories, and rampant misinformation circulating on the internet. More than a week has passed, and both the wildfires and the deluge of false information remain unchecked.

Much of the chatter surrounding these wildfires focuses on the origins of the flames. While it’s a pertinent inquiry, current investigations have yet to yield anything beyond a vague attribution to “the weather.”

In their impatience for answers, many individuals are hastily pointing fingers at those they least favor, filling the void of uncertainty with accusations.

Attribution of Blame: The Usual Suspects

The roster of alleged culprits is both extensive and eccentric. Below are some notable examples of groups and individuals wrongly or prematurely blamed for instigating the fires.

The Jewish Community: The well-worn conspiracy theory that “the Jews are responsible” surfaced remarkably quickly following the outbreak of the fires. One such claim appeared on Facebook on January 8:

The phrase “Just dew it” alludes to “directed energy weapons,” or as referred by some, Jewish space lasers. Unfortunately, the accompanying image on that Facebook post was actually captured during a different fire from 2018, failing to substantiate the claim. The fact that some trees remained unburned also does not indicate the involvement of lasers. Similarly, the notion that homes featuring blue roofs or bins escaped laser targeting is simply unfounded; yet, recycling remains a good habit.

Although it’s theoretically feasible to initiate a fire using “directed energy” methods (like with a magnifying glass), there is no credible proof suggesting such techniques were at play in the LA wildfires—a matchbook would clearly suffice.

Progressives and Democrats: Various conspiracy theorists are hastily attributing the fires to the “woke” policies of the Californian government. Any attempts to politicize a natural disaster to this degree are evident, but the claims do not resonate with the general public. Claims such as California having turned away fire trucks from Oregon due to emissions standards are unfounded, just like the allegations that LA sent firefighting resources to Ukraine. Additionally, former President Donald Trump’s assertion that governor Gavin Newsom failed to enact a “water restoration declaration” is baseless, as no such declaration exists. Figures like James Woods and Elon Musk argue that the LA Fire Department’s focus on diversity led to subpar fire responses; however, this remains merely subjective and is not supported by any actual evidence.

While government mismanagement or inefficiency may have played a role in how the fires were handled—nobody is infallible—it remains premature to speculate on what went wrong. The investigations ahead promise to be lengthy and complex.

MAGA Republicans: An unverified post on Threads (captured here) from January 8 purported that LAPD was seeking three “persons of interest” connected to a MAGA-related website, allegedly seen near the origins of the main LA fires. This claim is manufactured—it’s entirely fabricated.

Undocumented Immigrants: This theory holds a degree of believability. In the days following the fires, law enforcement in LA took into custody a homeless man</a from Mexico, found with a blowtorch. The relationship between the blowtorch and the wildfires has yet to be clarified. Was it merely local residents mistaking a blowtorch used for recreational drug use? It's plausible. ICE is currently investigating, and if this undocumented individual is indeed connected to the fires, the news cycle will ensure it’s highly publicized.

Youths Engaging in Cannabis: A video series by 24-year-old hiker Beni Oren captured the dangerous moments in escaping the Palisades fire, igniting a wave of speculative comments suggesting the youths were smoking cannabis prior to the fire. Some commentators even noted the surname “Oren” as indicative of Jewish ethnicity. There remains no evidence to indicate that Oren and his companions were more than unfortunate hikers caught in dire circumstances.

Vague Allegations About Mystery Figures: During a cable news segment, actor Mel Gibson claimed there were individuals ready to set fires, suggesting they were commissioned for it. The implication that he is referring to Jewish individuals seems plausible based on past statements, yet the details remain vague.

Climate Change: The reality of global climate change is undeniable, but linking it specifically to this fire or any wildfire poses a nuanced dilemma. Historically, wildfires have occurred in California long before human habitation, yet they are increasingly intense and frequent today, suggesting climate change may have intensified conditions conducive to the fires. However, whether one can say that climate change “caused” the fire is debatable and rather contingent on interpretation.

Urban Development Reformers: Observations from a user on X suggest that by 2028, Los Angeles aims to transform into a fully operational AI-driven “Smart City,” insinuating that these fires served as a catalyst to displace residents, paving the way for technological governance.

Similar speculations were echoed by Fox News host Laura Ingraham, who claimed there was ongoing dialogue regarding a shift in rebuilding strategies post-fire, hinting at a push for high-density living solutions in California. Ingraham did not elaborate on who “the climate folks” are nor did she clarify the specifics of the “rumblings” she mentioned, permitting viewers to connect dots that might not exist. She implies some shadowy organization deliberately incited the wildfires to facilitate housing restructuring—a narrative lacking substantial evidence.

P. Diddy: Another theory posits that the fires were deliberately set to obscure criminal activities related to P. Diddy. Proponents of this speculation include Catherine Austin Fitts, former assistant secretary of the Housing and Urban Development, suggesting while intriguing, employing massive fires to erase evidence appears highly impractical.

What Truly Ignited the Fires in LA?

Ultimately, the Los Angeles fires resulted from an extraordinary combination of high winds and arid weather. The Santa Ana winds, typically emerging twice a year, are notorious for facilitating fires; minor flames that could be easily quenched under usual conditions can expand into uncontrollable wildfires when wind speeds increase significantly.

It’s important to acknowledge that most small fires are attributable to human actions, with a staggering 85% of wildfires resulting from various human interventions—from electrical equipment failures to arson. Preliminary investigations suggest the Palisades Fire may have been reignited by remnants of a previous blaze, while the Eaton Fire could have originated from an incident involving utility company equipment. However, as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives continues its examination and prepares to release a definitive report, definitive conclusions remain elusive.