Conspiracy theories swirl around LA Wildfires: From P Diddy cover-up to 'direct energy weapons'

As the California wildfires rage on, outlandish theories flood the internet.

As Los Angeles reels from wildfires that have claimed at least 24 lives and destroyed 12,000 properties in just a week, the tragedy has sparked not only grief but also an array of outrageous conspiracy theories flooding the internet. With the fires still raging, wild claims about their origins have captured attention across social media.

Some conspiracy theorists have suggested that the fires were deliberately started to cover up sexual abuse allegations against rapper P Diddy. "How many of the homeowners were on the P. Diddy list?" questioned former government official Catherine Austin Fitts on her podcast, referencing an unverified list of celebrities who allegedly attended drug-fueled parties hosted by Diddy. 

The theory speculates that the fires were intentionally set to protect those linked to Diddy and destroy evidence of a supposed network of tunnels leading to locations like the Playboy Mansion.

Diddy's mansion, located in Holmby Hills, has been remarkably spared by the raging fires, even though other nearby properties have been engulfed. This odd coincidence has fueled further claims of a cover-up. 

In an even more far-reaching theory, some suggest the fires were intended to destroy a network of tunnels allegedly connecting high-profile properties across California. "How many of the homeowners were on the P. Diddy list?" Fitts added, casting doubt on the fire’s natural origins.

Others have taken the wild theories a step further, making bizarre connections to a drone cover-up. 

Some believe the mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey were deliberately shifted to distract from the fires ravaging California. "Did anyone notice they stopped flying drones in New Jersey, so we can focus on other disasters like the California wildfires?" one Twitter user speculated, while another questioned the media's focus on the wildfires at the expense of "drone sightings over New Jersey."

Adding to the outlandish ideas, some internet users have shared maps linking the fires to California's high-speed rail network, claiming the fires were part of a plot to clear land for the rail route. 

"An incredible piece of luck for the developers building California’s new high-speed rail network, the wildfires almost perfectly match the proposed route," one user wrote, despite fact-checkers debunking the maps as inaccurate and not to scale.

Actor Mel Gibson has also waded into the murky waters of conspiracy, questioning whether the fires were 'commissioned' to clear valuable property for redevelopment. 

"It just seemed a little convenient that there was no water, and that the wind conditions were right and that there are people ready and willing and able to start fires," Gibson remarked in an interview with Fox News, likening the fires to historical efforts to remove people from land for development.

Perhaps the most outlandish theory involves the use of a "direct energy weapon" to cause the fires, with proponents pointing to surviving palm trees as evidence. 

"How is it that cars and homes are burned, but trees are still standing?" one conspiracy theorist asked. 

Despite experts explaining that palm trees have a higher moisture content, making them more fire-resistant, the "direct energy weapon" narrative persists.

Meanwhile, rumors continue to swirl that firefighters are using "women's handbags" filled with water to fight the flames. 

This bizarre claim was sparked by a video shared by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who speculated that the fire department had sent necessary equipment to Ukraine. "I can make all kinds of horrible theories in my head... but it just seemed a little convenient," Gibson noted, giving voice to the chaos surrounding the conspiracy-driven chatter.

As Los Angeles' firefighters battle some of the worst wildfires in the city’s history, the L.A. Fire Department’s Chief Erik Scott is urging the public to ignore baseless claims and focus on the task at hand. 

"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."

The fires, which have already destroyed over 40,000 acres of land, continue to devastate communities, and the spreading conspiracy theories add yet another layer of tragedy to an already dire situation.