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© Getty Images
0 / 29 Fotos
Directed energy weapons conspiracy
- Misleading videos spread false claims that directed energy weapons (DEWs) ignited the Los Angeles fires. Conspiracy theorists argue that secret organizations used advanced technology, like lasers, to start fires.
© Getty Images
1 / 29 Fotos
Repeated debunking of DEW claims
- Experts consistently debunk the DEW theory, stating that irregular burn patterns are due to natural factors like wind, terrain, and vegetation.
© Getty Images
2 / 29 Fotos
DEWs in military, not civilian use
- While the US has developed DEWs for military applications, including disabling drones, there is no evidence of these weapons being used in civilian settings.
© Getty Images
3 / 29 Fotos
Previous instances of DEW theories
- The DEW conspiracy emerged during past wildfires, including the 2018 California fires and the 2023 Canadian and Maui fires. In each case, there was no factual basis for these claims.
© Getty Images
4 / 29 Fotos
Geoengineering weather claims
- Another theory suggests the government could have manipulated the weather to stop the wildfires.
© Getty Images
5 / 29 Fotos
Cloud seeding and its limitations
- Cloud seeding is a real practice used in several US states, but experts confirm that it doesn't work under current conditions in Los Angeles, which are too dry for cloud seeding to be effective.
© Getty Images
6 / 29 Fotos
Government behind weather control?
- Despite claims of government-controlled weather, meteorology and cloud physics experts consistently refute them, providing scientific evidence to debunk such theories.
© Getty Images
7 / 29 Fotos
Land grab conspiracy
- Another false theory claims that the fires were intentionally started to clear land for "smart cities" aligned with United Nations goals. This idea has been debunked by urban planners and experts.
© Getty Images
8 / 29 Fotos
Misunderstood agenda
- The conspiracy theory about "smart cities" misinterprets urban planning initiatives like SmartLA 2028, which doesn't involve mass demolition or land clearing for new developments.
© Getty Images
9 / 29 Fotos
The Maui fire land grab theory
- This land grab theory gained momentum after the Maui wildfires, where out-of-context videos were shared to suggest that officials were clearing land for future "smart city" projects.
© Getty Images
10 / 29 Fotos
Celebrity crime cover-up conspiracy
- Some social media posts claimed the wildfires were started to cover up evidence in the sexual assault case against Sean "Diddy" Combs.
© Getty Images
11 / 29 Fotos
False claims
- Despite claims that Diddy's mansion was destroyed in the fires, reports confirm it remained intact and outside the evacuation zone. The mansion was listed for sale months before the fire.
© Getty Images
12 / 29 Fotos
Oprah Winfrey and Maui wildfire rumors
- During the Maui wildfire, similar theories circulated, accusing Oprah Winfrey of starting the fires. These claims were debunked by credible sources and media outlets, emphasizing the importance of fact-checking.
© Getty Images
13 / 29 Fotos
Firefighters using handbags myth
- A viral video claimed that firefighters were using women's handbags to fight the wildfires around Los Angeles.
© Getty Images
14 / 29 Fotos
Handbag myth debunked
- However, a Los Angeles Fire Department representative confirmed the video showed personnel using standard-issue canvas bags for minor fires.
© Getty Images
15 / 29 Fotos
Governor clearing land for apartments
- A misleading post on social media suggested that California's governor, Gavin Newsom, was clearing land to build apartments. This claim was quickly disproven, as there was no plan to develop land in the wake of the fires.
© Getty Images
16 / 29 Fotos
Oregon firefighters turned away
- Rumors circulated that Oregon firefighters were turned away from the Los Angeles fire efforts because their equipment failed emissions tests.
© Getty Images
17 / 29 Fotos
False rumors about equipment issues
- However, these claims were quickly dismissed, and the Oregon firefighters did join the efforts.
© Getty Images
18 / 29 Fotos
Government plot accusations
- Conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones suggested that the Los Angeles fires were part of a larger globalist plot.
© Getty Images
19 / 29 Fotos
Manipulated fires
- These claims centered on the idea that authorities were manipulating the fires to consolidate economic and political control.
© Getty Images
20 / 29 Fotos
Further theories
- Others speculated the fires were deliberately ignited to advance a globalist agenda aimed at weakening US industry.
© Getty Images
21 / 29 Fotos
AI-generated Hollywood Sign
- Videos claiming the iconic Hollywood sign was engulfed in flames during the wildfires turned out to be AI-generated hoaxes.
© Getty Images
22 / 29 Fotos
The sign remained intact
- Despite viral rumors that the Hollywood sign was destroyed in the fires, it was confirmed by the Hollywood Sign Trust chairman that the landmark remained undamaged.
© Getty Images
23 / 29 Fotos
The power of conspiracy theories
- Experts suggest that some individuals turn to conspiracy theories to cope with overwhelming events, using them as a way to create meaning, even when these theories lack factual accuracy.
© Getty Images
24 / 29 Fotos
Social media algorithms
- The rapid spread of conspiracy theories is partly due to social media algorithms, which prioritize sensational and emotionally charged content.
© Getty Images
25 / 29 Fotos
Community notes system
- Social media platforms like Facebook and X have shifted toward crowdsourced fact-checking systems, such as "community notes," to combat misinformation.
© Getty Images
26 / 29 Fotos
Regulating evolving systems
- Despite their potential, these systems remain limited and are still evolving. Researchers advocate for stricter regulations to address the spread of misinformation effectively.
© Getty Images
27 / 29 Fotos
Lack of credible evidence for conspiracy theories
- Ultimately, the conspiracy theories surrounding the Los Angeles wildfires in 2025, like those from previous events, lack credible evidence. Sources: (CBS News) (The Guardian) (CNN) See also: Remembering the world's most devastating wildfires
© Getty Images
28 / 29 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 29 Fotos
Directed energy weapons conspiracy
- Misleading videos spread false claims that directed energy weapons (DEWs) ignited the Los Angeles fires. Conspiracy theorists argue that secret organizations used advanced technology, like lasers, to start fires.
© Getty Images
1 / 29 Fotos
Repeated debunking of DEW claims
- Experts consistently debunk the DEW theory, stating that irregular burn patterns are due to natural factors like wind, terrain, and vegetation.
© Getty Images
2 / 29 Fotos
DEWs in military, not civilian use
- While the US has developed DEWs for military applications, including disabling drones, there is no evidence of these weapons being used in civilian settings.
© Getty Images
3 / 29 Fotos
Previous instances of DEW theories
- The DEW conspiracy emerged during past wildfires, including the 2018 California fires and the 2023 Canadian and Maui fires. In each case, there was no factual basis for these claims.
© Getty Images
4 / 29 Fotos
Geoengineering weather claims
- Another theory suggests the government could have manipulated the weather to stop the wildfires.
© Getty Images
5 / 29 Fotos
Cloud seeding and its limitations
- Cloud seeding is a real practice used in several US states, but experts confirm that it doesn't work under current conditions in Los Angeles, which are too dry for cloud seeding to be effective.
© Getty Images
6 / 29 Fotos
Government behind weather control?
- Despite claims of government-controlled weather, meteorology and cloud physics experts consistently refute them, providing scientific evidence to debunk such theories.
© Getty Images
7 / 29 Fotos
Land grab conspiracy
- Another false theory claims that the fires were intentionally started to clear land for "smart cities" aligned with United Nations goals. This idea has been debunked by urban planners and experts.
© Getty Images
8 / 29 Fotos
Misunderstood agenda
- The conspiracy theory about "smart cities" misinterprets urban planning initiatives like SmartLA 2028, which doesn't involve mass demolition or land clearing for new developments.
© Getty Images
9 / 29 Fotos
The Maui fire land grab theory
- This land grab theory gained momentum after the Maui wildfires, where out-of-context videos were shared to suggest that officials were clearing land for future "smart city" projects.
© Getty Images
10 / 29 Fotos
Celebrity crime cover-up conspiracy
- Some social media posts claimed the wildfires were started to cover up evidence in the sexual assault case against Sean "Diddy" Combs.
© Getty Images
11 / 29 Fotos
False claims
- Despite claims that Diddy's mansion was destroyed in the fires, reports confirm it remained intact and outside the evacuation zone. The mansion was listed for sale months before the fire.
© Getty Images
12 / 29 Fotos
Oprah Winfrey and Maui wildfire rumors
- During the Maui wildfire, similar theories circulated, accusing Oprah Winfrey of starting the fires. These claims were debunked by credible sources and media outlets, emphasizing the importance of fact-checking.
© Getty Images
13 / 29 Fotos
Firefighters using handbags myth
- A viral video claimed that firefighters were using women's handbags to fight the wildfires around Los Angeles.
© Getty Images
14 / 29 Fotos
Handbag myth debunked
- However, a Los Angeles Fire Department representative confirmed the video showed personnel using standard-issue canvas bags for minor fires.
© Getty Images
15 / 29 Fotos
Governor clearing land for apartments
- A misleading post on social media suggested that California's governor, Gavin Newsom, was clearing land to build apartments. This claim was quickly disproven, as there was no plan to develop land in the wake of the fires.
© Getty Images
16 / 29 Fotos
Oregon firefighters turned away
- Rumors circulated that Oregon firefighters were turned away from the Los Angeles fire efforts because their equipment failed emissions tests.
© Getty Images
17 / 29 Fotos
False rumors about equipment issues
- However, these claims were quickly dismissed, and the Oregon firefighters did join the efforts.
© Getty Images
18 / 29 Fotos
Government plot accusations
- Conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones suggested that the Los Angeles fires were part of a larger globalist plot.
© Getty Images
19 / 29 Fotos
Manipulated fires
- These claims centered on the idea that authorities were manipulating the fires to consolidate economic and political control.
© Getty Images
20 / 29 Fotos
Further theories
- Others speculated the fires were deliberately ignited to advance a globalist agenda aimed at weakening US industry.
© Getty Images
21 / 29 Fotos
AI-generated Hollywood Sign
- Videos claiming the iconic Hollywood sign was engulfed in flames during the wildfires turned out to be AI-generated hoaxes.
© Getty Images
22 / 29 Fotos
The sign remained intact
- Despite viral rumors that the Hollywood sign was destroyed in the fires, it was confirmed by the Hollywood Sign Trust chairman that the landmark remained undamaged.
© Getty Images
23 / 29 Fotos
The power of conspiracy theories
- Experts suggest that some individuals turn to conspiracy theories to cope with overwhelming events, using them as a way to create meaning, even when these theories lack factual accuracy.
© Getty Images
24 / 29 Fotos
Social media algorithms
- The rapid spread of conspiracy theories is partly due to social media algorithms, which prioritize sensational and emotionally charged content.
© Getty Images
25 / 29 Fotos
Community notes system
- Social media platforms like Facebook and X have shifted toward crowdsourced fact-checking systems, such as "community notes," to combat misinformation.
© Getty Images
26 / 29 Fotos
Regulating evolving systems
- Despite their potential, these systems remain limited and are still evolving. Researchers advocate for stricter regulations to address the spread of misinformation effectively.
© Getty Images
27 / 29 Fotos
Lack of credible evidence for conspiracy theories
- Ultimately, the conspiracy theories surrounding the Los Angeles wildfires in 2025, like those from previous events, lack credible evidence. Sources: (CBS News) (The Guardian) (CNN) See also: Remembering the world's most devastating wildfires
© Getty Images
28 / 29 Fotos
Understanding the LA fires: separating fact from fiction
From directed energy weapons to Diddy, these are the wildest conspiracies
© Getty Images
Wildfires in Los Angeles have caused widespread destruction, but alongside the flames, a torrent of conspiracy theories was sparked online. From claims of directed energy weapons to celebrity involvement, these theories have captured the attention of millions, fueled by viral videos and misinformation. Despite expert debunking, such theories persist.
Click on to delve into the most prominent conspiracies about the LA fires of 2025.
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