A Stanford neuroscientist's social media post raises alarm about potential arson incidents amid devastating California wildfires.
According to Daily Mail, Andrew Huberman, host of the popular Huberman Lab podcast, claimed to have witnessed people deliberately starting fires in Santa Monica's urban areas as catastrophic wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles.
The 49-year-old professor shared footage on social media platform X showing a group of men gathered around a large fire near Crescent Bay Park. The video captured smoke billowing into the sky while one individual appeared to film the incident on his phone. Los Angeles Fire Department has deployed 16 arson investigators and a sniffer dog to determine if the Palisades Fire was deliberately set.
Multiple Fire Outbreaks Strain Emergency Response Resources
Two new blazes erupted overnight in the Hollywood Hills and Studio City, forcing emergency responders to redistribute their already limited resources. The situation has resulted in evacuation orders affecting more than 130,000 people across Los Angeles. The death toll has reached five, with over 2,000 structures destroyed and thousands left homeless.
Huberman, who has 5.2 million subscribers on his health podcast, took to X to alert authorities about the incident. He urged citizens to report any suspicious activities immediately.
In his social media post, Huberman wrote:
People are lighting fires in otherwise non-burning urban areas of LA. Saw this happen first hand 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.
Devastating Impact On Hollywood And Entertainment Industry
The Hollywood Hills fire has prompted the evacuation of an area encompassing Hollywood Boulevard to Mulholland Drive, affecting iconic landmarks, including the Dolby Theater. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has postponed next week's Oscar nominations announcement by two days due to the emergency situation.
The Palisades Fire has consumed 15,832 acres and hundreds of structures between Santa Monica and Malibu, with the flames racing down Topanga Canyon to reach the Pacific Ocean. Aerial footage revealed extensive destruction in Pacific Palisades, showing blocks of destroyed homes with occasional structures still actively burning.
The eastern Eaton Fire has claimed an additional 10,600 acres and approximately 1,000 structures. Private forecaster AccuWeather has estimated initial damage and economic losses to exceed $50 billion.
Critical Situation Unfolds As Emergency Services Battle Multiple Fronts
The Los Angeles County Fire Department continues to combat at least six active wildfires, with four blazes remaining completely uncontained, according to state officials. The situation has become particularly dire on the eastern and western flanks of the city, where major conflagrations continue to expand as darkness falls.
The newly emerged Sunset Fire in Hollywood Hills has already scorched 50 acres, though helicopter crews and ground teams appear to be making progress in controlling its advance. The fire's proximity to major entertainment venues and residential areas has raised significant concerns among local authorities and residents.
Emergency response teams are working tirelessly to protect lives and property, with a particular focus on preventing the fire from spreading further into densely populated areas. The combination of multiple fire fronts and limited resources has created unprecedented challenges for firefighting efforts.
Current Crisis Reveals Mounting Challenges In Los Angeles
The devastating wildfires ravaging Los Angeles have exposed the city to multiple threats, from suspected arson to natural disasters. Andrew Huberman's eyewitness account of potential fire-starting activity in Santa Monica has added another layer of complexity to an already critical situation.
As emergency services continue their battle against multiple blazes, the city faces unprecedented challenges in protecting its residents and infrastructure from the advancing flames. The fires have not only claimed lives and destroyed thousands of structures but have also disrupted major entertainment industry events and forced mass evacuations across Los Angeles County.
