La Fires ‘Started by Satanic Meth Heads’: Latest Wildfire Theory

Meth addicts described as “satanic” could be starting some of the Los Angeles fires on purpose, out of pure nihilism, a journalist told Tucker Carlson.

The latest wildfire theory emerged as Michael Shellenberger, who has written about homelessness, discussed possible causes of the Southern California catastrophe on the January 14 episode of The Tucker Carlson Show.

Newsweek has reached out to Carlson and the LAPD for comment outside of normal working hours via email.

Why It Matters

People are looking for answers about the causes of the Los Angeles wildfires, which have killed at least 24 people, destroyed 12,000 homes and businesses, and left more than 92,000 people under evacuation orders. The deadly Palisades and Eaton fires—in Pacific Palisades and Malibu, and Pasadena and Altadena, respectively, have been the most destructive, and theories about how they started are spreading across the media.

What To Know

On the show, Carlson asks Shellenberger, a professor at the University of Austin, where the LA fires come from, and he says that there are many ignitions caused by two factors, the first being “electrical wires brushing up against vegetation” and the second being homeless people. He then claims that half of all fires in L.A. are started by homeless people.

That claim does not appear to be substantiated by any hard evidence, though there have been reports homelessness-related fires.

Carlson, who broadcasts on his website, tucker.carlson.com, responded, “Why do homeless people start fires?”

Carlson asks if the fires are “cooking fires,” referring to the practice of cooking meth, to which Shellenberger, author of multiple books, responds “they could be.” Carlson then asks whether starting fires to destroy things is linked to meth addiction, to which Shellenberger responds: “Oh for sure.” Shellenberger, who serves as CBR Chair of Politics, Censorship, and Free Speech at Austin, also says that meth drives psychosis and psychopathy.

“The meth heads are, like, into fire,” says Shellenberger, describing meth as the “drug of nihilism,” and saying that fire is a “big part of meth culture.” He then says: “It’s satanic.” Carlson, looking shocked responds: “It seems that way.”

According to the Oxford Treatment Centre, studies suggest that an overall rate of 36.5 percent of people who use meth will experience psychosis.

A 2015 study from the National Library of Medicine found that a majority of participants surveyed (56 percent) found that methamphetamine usage resulted in violent usage with 59 percent reporting specific violent criminal behaviors. There has not been significant research into the link between methamphetamine usage and arson.

What started the LA fires? What we know so far

Investigators are beginning work in order to determine the origin and cause of the fires in the Los Angeles area.

According to evidence reviewed by The Washington Post, the Palisades fire may have been started by the reigniting of a firework. Another common cause of fires is ignition caused by downed utility lines, and investigators are currently looking into whether electrical equipment sparked the Hurst and Eaton fires.

Police believe the Kenneth fire, which had started in the San Fernando Valley on Thursday and has now been fully contained, was set intentionally. Not long after that fire had broken out, a man was taken into custody. Juan Sierra, 33, was arrested after he was seen attempting to start a fire, according to the Los Angeles Times who cited a law enforcement email.

Strong winds are in large part to blame for turning the wildfires into huge infernos that leveled entire neighborhoods around the city.

What conspiracy theories have emerged?

Multiple conspiracy theories have emerged over the LA fires.

Actor Mel Gibson said that the fires began under “convenient circumstances,” and asked whether supposed fire starters had been “commissioned” to ignite blazes.

There have been theories that fires were started for “high-density housing.” Fox News’ Laura Ingraham said that, “There’s a great need for high-density housing in California and across the country, that’s a big push by the climate folks, and you’re already hearing rumblings of that in this case. Like, goodbye single-family homes, hello high-density housing.”

Infamous conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is one of several people who has blamed the LA Fire Department’s struggle with extinguishing fires on the fact that equipment was sent to Ukraine.

What have officials said?

President Joe Biden said the White House remains “laser focused” on helping survivors and offered condolences to the families of those who have died: “Our hearts ache for the 24 innocent souls we have lost in the wildfires across Los Angeles. Jill and I pray for them and their loved ones.

More than 124,000 people have signed a Change.org petition demanding that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass resign as she and Governor Gavin Newsom face mounting criticism over the state and city’s fire response: “We, the undersigned residents of Los Angeles and concerned citizens, urgently call for the immediate recall of Mayor Karen Bass due to her gross mismanagement and failure to effectively respond to the devastating 2025 fires in and around the city of Los Angeles,” the petition said.

Californian Governor Gavin Newsom posted on X that: “A lot of misinformation out there. Just launched a new site to ensure the public has access to fact-based data around the Southern CA wildfires. The TRUTH:- CA did NOT cut our firefighting budget. We have nearly doubled the size of our firefighting army and built the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet.—CA has INCREASED forest management tenfold since we took office.—California will NOT allow for looting.”

What’s Next

Portions of Southern California are under a red flag warning along with a “particularly dangerous situation” alert for 3 a.m. Wednesday until 3 p.m. in the afternoon. Winds could gust up to 70 mph in the mountains and 50 mph along the coast and in the valleys, the NWS says. Air quality is also a concern for residents in Southern California as these wildfires rage.

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