Are arsonists setting fire in Santa Monica amid the wildfires across LA? Viral video explored

Los Angeles is witnessing one of the worst wildfires of the time. However, amidst the already difficult situation, a viral video caught the attention of social media users where a group of people were seen setting fire.

These people, who have been called arsonists by netizens, were setting lighting fires at 302 Pico in Santa Monica at a time when the wildfires already created havoc.

The person who recorded the video said not all the people in the group were involved in the activity. As claimed by him, the trees first caught fire, followed by the palms.

“So, be safe out there. Fire Department’s been dispatched. We don’t have enough water to put this thing out but they are supposed to be on the way,” the person said in the video.

The fire department and the law enforcement officials have not confirmed the claims. It cannot be said with certainty whether arsonists set up fire in Santa Monica because there is no direct proof of these people doing the same as all these claims have been made by social media users. One of them wrote:

“Don't let them blame this on Climate change. The LA Fires are being increased by arson. Like this one in Santa Monica.”

The video was first posted by Andrew D. Huberman, who shared the video with the caption:

“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.”

In a comment below the video, Huberman confirmed that the fire was put out by the Fire Department, and the location was across Belmar Park.

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Residents claimed that the wildfires were nothing new to them

The LA wildfire forced thousands of residents to leave their houses. However, this wasn’t the first time for them. According to a report by CBS News, the residents said this was nothing they had not seen.

“We have seen that before so nothing new to us for the last 32 years that I have been here. We have everything in the care, you know, the silverware, the money, the passport and everything ready to go,” a resident told the news outlet.

However, this was not so easy for the residents. Many were even forced to abandon their cars and leave the place walking. For many, this was the only choice handed to them by the residents. Some of the individuals were separated from their kin as they rushed to get out of the place, though many stayed in touch through phones.

The winds that gushed 160 km per hour exacerbated the wildfires and made it more difficult for the firefighters to control the fire. Emergency services reportedly ran low on the resources needed to contain the fire. Another factor that contributed more to the fatal disaster was the dry conditions in addition to the excessive fuel load in the area.

Reports mention that there is very little rain at the time of the year when there was supposed to be a handful of rain. Residents hoped that there could be a better way to cope with wildfires in the future.