Editor-DN
At least 11 people have lost their lives and more than 100,000 have been ordered to evacuate as wildfires in Los Angeles continue to ravage the US city. Although the reasons for the cause of the wildfires and how they spread in different regions of California vary, a section of conservatives blame the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the firefighting department. Billionaires Elon Musk and Bill Ackman are leading the charge on social media. . Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump has blamed a small fish called the delta smelt for the wildfires.
The X (formerly Twitter) boss has reposted several videos linking the fire department’s DEI initiative to the spread of wildfires.
“DEI means people die,” Mr. Musk wrote while sharing a video criticizing the fire department’s stance.
DEI means people die. https://t.co/f86ZXam5oz
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 9, 2025
The Tesla owner also cited Libs of TikTok, a right-wing account that called for the LAFD to come up with a “racial equity plan” to end “systemic, institutional and structural racism.”
“They prioritized DEI over saving lives and homes,” Mr. Musk wrote.
They prioritized DEI over saving lives and homes. https://t.co/KW1S7ZJeuJ
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 8, 2025
Notably, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has been led since 2022 by Kristen Crowley, the department’s first female and first LGBTQ chief.
When people said DEI could kill people, they were laughed at or worse.
We need to return to a country where jobs are awarded based on merit, experience and excellence rather than race, sexuality, gender and/or other forms of identity.
Do you want something else… https://t.co/SVtoAyJVgs
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) January 9, 2025
Also Read | Hollywood sign on fire? AI images of raging Los Angeles wildfires go viral.
Delta Smelt
The Republican leader, using his true social handle, attacked Governor Gavin Newsom and talked about the aforementioned fish.
“He (Newsom) wanted to protect a basically useless fish called smelt, by giving it less water (it didn’t work!), but didn’t care about the people of California,” Mr Trump said. wrote.
“Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will call on this incompetent governor to let the beautiful, clean, sweet water flow to California! He is to blame. Above all, no water for fire hydrants. Not for firefighting planes, a real disaster!
Since the wildfire started, it has consumed more than 20,000 acres in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, where firefighters say they are beginning to contain the blaze.
Although wildfires occur naturally, scientists claim that human-caused climate change is altering the weather and altering fire dynamics. Two wet years in Southern California have given way to a very dry year, leaving plenty of fuel dry and ready to burn.
