Table of Contents
The Los Angeles wildfires have claimed at least 24 lives and devastated 12,000 properties in one week.
But the infernos, which still burn, have also sparked a number of wild and deranged 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 pundits have been having a field day.
Others have even claimed that there is a correlation between the use of smart meters and the destruction of homes.
Out of control fires have caused misery on an almost unimaginable scale, with families mourning the loss of loved ones or rebuilding their lives after losing their homes.
Hollywood royalty has not been immune to the tragedy, which California Governor Gavin Newsom fears will prove to be the worst natural disaster in US history.
Protect P Diddy and the celebrities on his “list” and destroy evidence, including a network of tunnels, one of which leads to the Playboy Mansion.
P Diddy has faced more than 100 allegations of sexual abuse, including multiple allegations of rape and even child abuse, at his infamous drug-fueled parties.
But some have made unfounded claims that the fires may have been set to “cover up” Diddy’s alleged sex crimes and protect his remaining allies.
His Los Angeles home remains intact. for the Southern California wildfire.
The luxurious home in Holmby Hills, a few miles east of Beverly Hills, is near the path of the Palisades Fire, but has not been damaged by the disaster.
Diddy’s Los Angeles mansion has so far been spared from the rampant flames engulfing the luxurious neighborhoods where several high-profile celebrities live.
As Los Angeles continues to battle these fires, Combs sits in his cell at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center as he awaits trial.
But many celebrities who live in or near the Pacific Palisades area, between five and 50 miles away from Holmby Hills, have lost their homes.
Former government official Catherine Austin Fitts has stepped up the theory by asking how many people connected to Diddy have saved their homes from being destroyed.
“In situations like (the Los Angeles fires), I see patterns,” Fitts said on his podcast.
‘I look at some of the communities involved. How many of the owners were on P. Diddy’s list?
It is said that the Diddy list names everyone celebrities accused of attending parties hosted by the rapper where they allegedly suffered abuse. The list has not been verified.
There are also wild claims about fires being set to destroy evidence and even a network of tunnels from Diddy’s house to other properties, including the Playboy Mansion and even Michael Jackson’s house.
There are claims that this was a prank online.
Drone cover-up in New Jersey
Unexplained drone sightings occurred across the Northeast, prompting residents and state and local officials to demand answers.
Reports of mysterious drone lights in the skies over New Jersey during the Christmas holidays sparked widespread speculation about their origin.
And without answers, some have made crazy people claim online that the Los Angeles wildfires were a government distraction from their reluctance to reveal what they were about.
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? Matrix failure or?’
Another said: ‘So now that we’re all being told about the California wildfires, what the hell has happened to all the scary stories about UFOs or drone sightings over New Jersey?’ I’m just saying.
Donald Trump confirmed that he personally saw drones over his own property in Bedminster, New Jersey.
President-elect Trump has said he would reveal the truth about mysterious flocks of drones spotted in the skies over New Jersey and other American locations when he takes office.
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 the clearing of land for new housing.
Gibson questioned in a strange moment with fox news‘ Laura Ingraham if ruinous fires were ‘commissioned’ to remove people from valuable property.
“I can make up all kinds of horrible theories in my head, conspiracy theories and everything else, but it seemed a little convenient that there was no water,” Gibson said.
“And that the wind conditions were adequate and that there are people ready, willing and able to start fires.”
The Max Max star then questioned whether the theorized fire starters were “ordered.”
‘And then at events like this, you seem like, well, is that on purpose? Which, is crazy to think. But one begins to reflect on whether or not there is a purpose in mind. What could it be? You know, what do they want? The empty state? I don’t know.’
Actor Mel Gibson questioned in a rare moment on Fox News whether the ruinous fires were ‘commissioned’ to remove people from valuable property.
“I can make up all kinds of horrible theories in my head, conspiracy theories and everything else, but it seemed a little convenient that there was no water,” Gibson said. ‘And that the wind conditions were adequate and that there are people ready, willing and able to start fires’
The actor said it reminded him of the “old ranchers who evicted people from the land.”
‘Direct energy weapon’ to erode humanity (but can’t destroy palm trees)
The wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles were caused by a “direct energy weapon” attack, and the signs are there because the palm trees have survived, conspiracy theorists on social media claimed.
The idea was prompted by mysterious images of an object flying through the sky near Los Angeles when the wildfires began.
Some on social media have pointed out how palm trees have survived fires in areas where buildings have not, claiming that the fire may have been started by a weapon from the sky or even space.
The theory emerged from a clip that appeared to show an object flying through the sky during the start of the fires.
Conspiracy theorists pointed to the fact that many palm trees have survived, while man-made things have not, and suggested it could have been caused by a gun.
One person who claimed a “heat attack” had occurred said on social media that it was impossible for “cars and houses to burn but trees still standing.”
Although experts have noted that palm trees have a higher moisture content than most trees, making them more difficult to burn, many of Los Angeles’ palm trees have also been destroyed.
The theory emerged from a clip that appeared to show an object flying through 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 sci-fi-inspired weapon combines pulses of microwave radiation into a single powerful beam, just like the planet-destroying lasers shown in Star Wars.
To merge, the electromagnetic pulses must reach the exact same target in 170 trillionths of a second. That requires levels of synchronization more precise than the atomic clocks of advanced GPS satellites, a feat previously considered 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 may not have the power to blow up the entire planet, it could wreak havoc.
Fighting fires with ‘women’s bags’
As Los Angeles firefighters continue to battle deadly wildfires, authorities have been forced to confront wild conspiracies, including the claim that firefighters are using “women’s purses” to put out the flames.
Disgraced Sandy Hook journalist Alex Jones made the claim and shared a video of fire crews carrying bags full of water. He claimed the department needed to use the “women’s bags” because it was sending supplies to war-torn Ukraine.
But Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Erik Scott, a public information officer, has since explained to the Wall Street Journal that the so-called bags were actually canvas bags that firefighters usually use to put out small fires, since 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 on fire, although eagle-eyed users noticed that the sign added an extra ‘L’ to the city’s name.
As rumors spread, Scott was forced to go on X on Friday night to dispel misinformation, including that the Los Angeles Fire Department was so ill-equipped to deal with the rampant fires that it was recruiting members of the general public to help put them out. Flames, which Scott said was “baseless.”
“We don’t want all that noise to reach the public,” Scott said. “We want to give them a signal that will help them evacuate and potentially save lives.”
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Erik Scott, a public information officer, has had to confront online conspiracy theories about the devastating wildfires in the area.
On Thursday, Alex Jones claimed the fire department needed to use “lady bags” to fight fires because it was sending supplies to war-torn Ukraine.
But Scott also suggested that he didn’t want to waste all his time addressing unfounded theories.
“We are trying to fight the most devastating natural disaster in the history of Los Angeles,” he told the Journal.
“It takes people and time to track down and debunk social media rumors and that keeps us from doing more important things,” he lamented as the three wildfires burned through roughly 40,300 acres of land and 12,300 homes and other structures.