A viral video appears to show a group of individuals gathered around a fire, reportedly ignited just two miles from the wildfires currently devastating the Los Angeles area.
As Los Angeles struggles against the raging wildfires, a viral video has surfaced online, capturing a group of people gathered around what appears to be a man-made bonfire, seemingly watching in awe.
Firefighters are battling what is being called the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles County’s history: the Palisades Fire. Spanning the area between Malibu and Santa Monica, the fire has displaced thousands of residents.
As of January 9, the wildfire has consumed over 17,000 acres and remains at zero percent containment. Meanwhile, three other fires—the Hurst Fire, Eaton Fire, and Sunset Fire—continue to burn across the region.
Among those affected are celebrities like Paris Hilton and John Goodman, whose homes in Malibu have been completely destroyed. They join a growing list of residents impacted by one of the most ferocious fires LA has ever experienced.
Podcaster Andrew Huberman took to Twitter to share a concerning firsthand account: “People are lighting fires in otherwise non-burning urban areas of LA. Saw this happen first hand at 302 Pico in Santa Monica. Called it in & fire dept & police responded. Stay safe and call in any activity ASAP. We don’t need more flames out here.”
The alarming situation even drew a brief reaction from Elon Musk, who tweeted: “Wow.” Another user expressed their frustration and concern, writing: “What is wrong with this world?! Praying for ALL of us!”
Amid the chaos, some have suggested using water from the nearby Pacific Ocean to combat the wildfires. While it may seem like a logical solution, there’s a valid reason authorities are not opting for this approach.
On Twitter, some questioned why ocean water couldn’t be used to combat the devastating wildfires. “Is there any particular reason why we can’t use ocean water to help put out the fires?” one user asked. Another shared a map pointing to the ocean, claiming to have found the “solution” to the crisis.
While water is indeed the natural enemy of fire, freshwater is generally preferred over saltwater for several reasons. According to Technology.org, one key issue is corrosion. Salt in ocean water can damage firefighting equipment, including water tanks, pumps, and hoses, reducing their effectiveness over time.
