At least 11 people have lost their lives in devastating wildfires sweeping through the Los Angeles area in California. The fires have reduced thousands of homes and businesses to ashes, as firefighters struggle to contain the blaze and investigators work to determine its cause.
While the reason of these wildfires is yet to be known, billionaires Elon Musk and Bill Ackman have criticised the Los Angeles Fire Department’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Despite their claims, no evidence has been presented linking these initiatives to the department's ability to address wildfires.
On X, the Tesla CEO has promoted and liked many posts that blame the massive destruction on diversity initiatives. "DEI means people DIE," wrote Elon Musk in a post, sharing a video that criticised the fire department's approach.
DEI means people DIE https://t.co/f86ZXam5oz
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 9, 2025
The X boss also shared a post by Libs of TikTok, a right-wing account that has previously faced suspensions on social media. The account called out LAFD for its “racial equity plan” to end "systemic, institutional and structural racism".
Reacting to it, Musk wrote, “They prioritised DEI over saving lives and homes.”
They prioritized DEI over saving lives and homes https://t.co/KW1S7ZJEuJ Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 8, 2025
Since 2022, the LAFD has been under the leadership of Kristin Crowley, the department's first female and LGBTQ chief.
Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump has blamed California Governor Gavin Newsom for the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area. He said that Newsom refused to sign the water restoration declaration that would have pumped more water to flow into California.
“He (Newsom) wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didn’t work!), but didn’t care about the people of California. Now the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA! He is the blame for this. On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster!” he wrote on his Truth Social handle.
“One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning down to the ground. It’s ashes, and Gavin Newscum should resign. This is all his fault!!!” Trump wrote in a separate post.
Conditions in the Los Angeles area will improve through the weekend, with sustained winds slowing to about 20 mph (32 kph), gusting between 35 mph and 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service, a respite from recent wind gusts of 80 mph.
When people said DEI could kill people, they were scoffed at or worse.We need to go back to a country where jobs are awarded based on merit, experience, and excellence rather than racial, sexual, gender and/or other forms of identity.Would you want anything other than https://t.co/SVtoAyJVgs
Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) January 9, 2025
"It's not as gusty, so that should help firefighters," NWS meteorologist Allison Santorelli told Reuters, adding that conditions were still critical with low humidity and dry vegetation.
However, forecasters predicted another red flag warning would be issued for Monday.
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