Los Angeles’ wildfires have claimed at least 24 lives and laid waste to 12,000 properties in a week.
But the infernos, which are still raging, have also sparked a slew of wild and unhinged conspiracy theories online.
From protecting P Diddy and enriching billionaires to an act of war and a deliberate political attempt to derail high speed rail in California, internet wonks have been having a field days.
Others have even claimed there is a correlation between the use of smart meters and homes being destroyed.
The out of control blazes have caused misery on an almost unimaginable scale, with families grieving the loss of loved-ones or rebuilding their lives after losing their homes.
Hollywood royalty have not been immune from the tragedy, which California Governor Gavin Newsom fears will prove to be the worst natural disaster in US history.
Protecting P Diddy, celebrities on his ‘list’ and destroying evidence including a network of tunnels with one leading to the Playboy mansion
P Diddy has faced more than 100 allegations of sexual abuse, including multiple accusations of rape and even child abuse, at his infamous drug-fuelled parties.
But some have made baseless claims that the fires may have been started to ‘cover up’ Diddy’s alleged sex crimes – and protect any allies he may have left.
His Los Angeles home has been untouched by the Southern California wildfire.
The lavish house in Holmby Hills, a few miles east of Beverly Hills, sits close to the Palisades fire’s path, but has not been damaged by the disaster.
But many celebrities who live in or near the Pacific Palisades area – anywhere from five to 50 miles away from Holmby Hills – have lost homes.
Former government official Catherine Austin Fitts has ramped up the theory having asked how many people connected to Diddy have avoided their homes being destroyed.
‘In situations like [the L.A. fires], I look at patterns,’ Fitts said on her podcast.
‘I look at some of the communities involved. How many of the homeowners were on the P. Diddy list?’
The Diddy list is said to name all celebrities accused of attending parties hosted by the rapper where he is alleged to abused. The list has not been verified.
There are also wild claims about the fires being started to destroy evidence and even a network of tunnels from Diddy’s home to other properties including the Playboy mansion and even Michael Jackson’s home.
There are claims that this was a joke online.
New Jersey drone cover-up
Reports of mysterious drone lights in the sky over New Jersey around the Christmas holiday prompted widespread speculation about their origin.
And with no answers, some have made the bonkers claim online that the LA wildfires were a Government distraction from their reticence to reveal what it was.
One Twitter user said: ‘Did anyone notice they stopped flying drones in New Jersey, so we can focus on other disasters like the California wildfires? Glitch in the matrix or?’
Another said: ‘So now that we are all being told about the California wildfires what the hell has happened to all the scare stories about the UFO or is it drone sightings over New Jersey? Just sayin’.
Donald Trump confirmed he personally spotted drones over his own property in Bedminster, New Jersey.
President-elect Trump has said he would reveal the truth about the mysterious flocks of drones spotted in the sky over New Jersey and other American locations when he takes power.
Mel Gibson: ‘Convenient’ fires will clear single family homes for high-density housing
Actor Mel Gibson says there are ‘convenient’ circumstances surrounding the devastating Los Angeles wildfires – namely clearing land for new homes.
Gibson questioned in a bizarre moment with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham if the ruinous fires were ‘commissioned’ in order to move people off valuable property.
‘I can make all kinds of horrible theories up in my head, conspiracy theories and everything else, but it just seemed a little convenient that there was no water,’ Gibson said.
‘And that the wind conditions were right and that there are people ready and willing and able to start fires.’
The Max Max star then questioned if the theorised fire starters were ‘commissioned’.
‘And then in events like this, you sort of look, well, it is on purpose? Which, it’s an insane thing to think. But one begins to ponder whether or not there is a purpose in mind. What could it be? You know, what do they want? The state empty? I don’t know.’
Actor Mel Gibson questioned in a bizarre moment with Fox News if the ruinous fires were ‘commissioned’ in order to move people off valuable property
‘I can make all kinds of horrible theories up in my head, conspiracy theories and everything else, but it just seemed a little convenient that there was no water,’ Gibson said. ‘And that the wind conditions were right and that there are people ready and willing and able to start fires’
The actor said that it reminded him of ‘old cattle barons clearing people off the land.’
‘Direct energy weapon’ to erode humanity (but can’t destroy palm trees)
Wildfires ravaging Los Angeles were caused by a ‘direct energy weapon’ attack – and the signs are there because palm trees have survived, social media conspiracy theorists have claimed.
The idea has been ramped up by mysterious footage of an object flying through the sky near LA when the wildfires started.
Some on social media have pointed to how palm trees have survived the fires in areas where buildings have not – claiming the fire may have been started by a weapon from the sky or even space.
The theory was sparked by a clip that appeared to show an object flying across the sky during the start of the fires.
Conspiracy theorists pointed to the fact that many palm trees have survived – when man-made things have not, and suggested that it could have been caused by a weapon
Conspiracy theorists pointed to the fact that many palm trees have survived – when man-made things have not, and suggested that it could have been caused by a weapon
One person claiming a ‘heat attack’ had happened said on social media that it was impossible that ‘cars and homes are burned but trees are still standing’.
Although experts have pointed out that palm trees have higher moisture content than most trees – making them harder to burn – and many of LA’s palm trees have also been destroyed.
The theory was sparked by a clip that appeared to show an object flying across the sky during the start of the fires.
Chinese scientists have already claimed to have created a ‘real-life Death Star that uses lasers to destroy.
The science-fiction-inspired weapon combines pulses of microwave radiation into a single powerful beam – just like the planet-destroying lasers shown in Star Wars.
In order to merge, the electromagnetic pulses must hit the exact same target within 170 trillionths of a second. That requires levels of timing more precise than the atomic clocks on advanced GPS satellites – a feat previously thought to be impossible.
While the exact details of the weapon remain highly classified, Chinese academic journals suggest that microwave weapons like this are being developed for use from space – shooting down rival states’ satellites or hitting targets on earth.
And while it might not have the power to blow up the entire planet, it could wreak havoc.
Fighting fires with ‘women’s handbags’
As Los Angeles firefighters continue to battle deadly wildfires, authorities have been forced to confront wild conspiracies – including a claim that firefighters are using ‘women’s handbags’ to douse the flames.
Disgraced Sandy Hook truther Alex Jones made the assertion, sharing video of fire crews carrying bags filled with water. He claimed the department needed to use the ‘women’s handbags’ because it sent supplies over to war-torn Ukraine.
But LA Fire Department Chief Erik Scott, a public information officer, has since explained to the Wall Street Journal that the so-called handbags were actually canvas bags fire departments regularly use to put out small fires, as they are easier and faster than having to connect hoses.
Other rumors that have emerged online include an AI-generated image of the Hollywood sign ablaze – though eagle-eye users noticed that the sign added an extra ‘L’ into the name of the city.
As the rumors spread, Scott was forced to take to X late Friday night to dispel misinformation, including that the LA Fire Department was so ill-equipped to deal wit the rampant fires that it was recruiting members of the general public to help put out the flames, which Scott said was ‘baseless.’
‘We don’t want all of that noise getting to the public,’ Scott said. ‘We want to get them signal that is going to help them evacuate and potentially save lives.’
But, Scott also suggested he did not want to spend all of his time addressing baseless theories.
‘We’re trying to battle the most devastating natural disaster in Los Angeles history,’ he told the Journal.
‘It takes people and time to track down and debunk social media rumors and it takes us away from doing more important things,’ he bemoaned as the three wildfires wiped out an estimated 40,300 acres of land and 12,300 homes and other structures.
