Tucker Carlson is stunned by new theory on what started LA fires
Michael Shellenberger shocked Tucker Carlson by suggesting a theory that meth addicts are setting some fires in Los Angeles out of pure nihilism.
Hours later, a second massive fire broke out near Pasadena, and both are still raging a week later. This fire claimed at least 25 lives, destroyed an estimated 12,300 structures and destroyed 40,000 hectares of land.
More than 200,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate and thousands remain trapped in shelters, unable to return home as authorities begin the arduous task of searching the ash and rubble for human remains.
Shellenberger, who Carlson said is “arguably the best reporter in America,” appeared on the host’s talk show to discuss instigating the fires, which have killed 25 people so far.
After condemning city and state Democrats like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass for their incompetence, he opined that homeless people were “setting fires all over the city.”
Carlson asked, “Why do homeless people start fires?”
Shellenberger shot back, “Well, it turns out meth heads like to start fires.”
He then explained that meth is “the drug of nihilism” and therefore “perfect” for California, and suggested that “half of all fires” started in the county for years were caused by homeless people.
Michael Shellenberger shocked Tucker Carlson by suggesting a theory that meth addicts are setting some Los Angeles fires out of pure nihilism
Shellenberger, who Carlson said is “arguably the best reporter in America,” appeared on the host’s talk show to discuss instigating the fires, which have killed 25 people so far.
Carlson then wondered if the fires set by addicts were the result of the cooking of the drug that his guest suggested was possible.
Shellenberger then added that meth causes psychosis and psychopathy, which could cause a person to start a fire, saying he or she was “on fire.”
He even called it “Satainc” and said the homeless problem is an ongoing problem for Democrats in the area.
“They would always come out and say it was inevitable and that’s just a total lie,” Shellenberger added.
His comments come as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces fresh calls to resign or lose her job after she deflected questions about whether she regrets quitting despite warnings has traveled abroad for extreme weather.
Bass was in Ghana last week on a diplomatic trip when the first fire broke out in the upscale celebrity enclave of Pacific Palisades and quickly spread to Malibu and then Santa Monica.
It soon emerged that Bass was aware of the increased weather risk before traveling abroad. Forecasters have been sounding the alarm about a ‘recipe for fire’ since Thursday – two days before her departure.
When asked Tuesday whether, in retrospect, she “would have made that trip abroad,” Bass stumbled over an answer before dismissively admitting, “no.”
Hours later, a second massive fire broke out inland near Pasadena and is still raging a week later, claiming at least 24 lives, destroying an estimated 12,300 buildings and wiping out 100,000 acres of land.
Shellenberger excoriated city and state Democrats like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass for their incompetence
“You know, I’m going to concentrate today…”
As she gave her answer without asking the question, the CBS journalist interrupted her with the question, “But please…”
“No,” she said sharply, before turning and walking away from the cameras as reporters rushed to ask more questions.
The criticism Bass has received goes beyond the decisions she made as the fire threat loomed.
Her government has made decisions over the years that have left emergency services chronically underfunded.
LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley told CNN, “Over the past three years, it has become clear to us that the fire department needs help.”
She added that she has highlighted how “understaffed, under-resourced and under-funded the LAFD is,” adding, “I have sounded the alarm that these additional cuts could be very devastating to our ability to meet the to provide public safety.”
Bass cut the L.A. Fire Department’s budget by $17.6 million in 2024 after backing out of $23 million in cuts, and officials ignored warnings about the threat of infernos.
A firefighter sprays water on a burning home in the Eaton Fire in Altadena
In less than a week, four fires around the nation’s second-largest city have scorched more than 100,000 acres, about three times the size of Manhattan.
The National Weather Service warned that the weather will be “particularly dangerous” on Tuesday, when wind gusts could reach 65 mph.
Large parts of Southern California are under this extreme fire danger warning through Wednesday, including the densely populated Thousand Oaks, Northridge and Simi Valley.
Two fires continue to burn largely unattended:
The scale of the destruction is unprecedented, with prime real estate stretching from Malibu to the Palisades and up to Santa Monica wiped off the map.
The Palisades Fire is only 17 percent contained and has destroyed 23,713 acres. So far, eight bodies have been found in the wreckage.
The Eaton Fire, which wiped out large portions of Pasadena and Altadena, destroyed less land than the Palisades Fire, but the human damage was far greater.
Altadena was reduced to rubble during the Eaton fire
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued Tuesday as the fast-moving fire quickly approached
Sixteen bodies have already been found in the massacre. It is estimated that around 7,000 structures are gone, but the process of exploring what remains has been slow.
Mandy Moore’s home was among those charred beyond recognition by the 14,117-acre Eaton fire.
It is only 35 percent under control.
The death toll is likely to rise, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Monday. At least 20 people have been reported missing, he said.
Luna said he understands people are eager to return to their homes and neighborhoods to inspect the damage, but he asked for their patience. “There are people literally looking for the remains of your neighbors,” he said.
Bass isn’t the only Los Angeles official under intense scrutiny.
More than 100,000 people signed a petition calling on Governor Newsom to resign from office.
He has made a concerted effort to shift blame to other officials, including Bass, and insisted he did not know how the wildfires started.
Recently, Newsom was criticized for trying to raise donations for the victims through his own Super PAC.