Original article (in Albanian) was published on 10/1/2024; Author: Ilda Hoxha
Claim: The wildfires in California are under control because they spared the mansions of the wealthy
Verdict: False
The wildfires in California have indeed affected the mansions of billionaires, which contradicts claims circulating on social media in our country.
Social media posts argue that the mansions of billionaires in California were untouched by the fires, implying some form of coordination.
‘Just like in Hawaii, the fire in California stops its rage and avoids the mansions of billionaires. The fire knows where to strike‘, users on social media.
Social media posts
However, these claims are not accurate. According to international media reports, numerous billionaire mansions have been completely destroyed by the fires sweeping across California.
Reports from foreign media state that thousands of structures have been razed by the fires still active in Los Angeles, affecting even the homes of some celebrities, with an average value of their mansions being around 3 million dollars.
Some of the celebrities whose homes have been lost include Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, Tina Knowles, John Goodman, Candy Spelling, Milo Ventimiglia, and Miles Teller.’ Meanwhile, other stars are anxiously awaiting, unsure if anything can be salvaged from their homes.
The wildfires in Los Angeles, which have claimed the lives of 10 people and destroyed over 1,000 buildings, are not only significant for their intensity but also for what they represent regarding the future of wildfire seasons in Southern California and beyond. What was once a fire season confined to a few months of the year is now becoming a constant threat in many parts of the United States. Extreme weather conditions that fuel fires are becoming more frequent, posing serious risks to human lives, property, and the environment.
On Thursday, President Joe Biden said during a meeting with his cabinet members at the White House that he had put federal resources on standby and approved additional funding to help California fight the destructive fires, describing them as the most severe fires to hit Los Angeles.